Red Mass
Bishop James Ruggieri will celebrate the Red Mass on Tuesday, October 1, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland. A reception will follow.
A tradition that dates to 13th century France, the Red Mass celebrates the official opening of the judicial year and is a time to ask for God’s blessing and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the administration of justice. It is a tradition through which the Church seeks to bless and strengthen members of the legal profession by asking the Holy Spirit to impart to them its gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and fortitude.
The Red Mass is a Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The name is derived from the red vestments worn by the celebrants of the Mass. Those vestments symbolize the tongues of fire that indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit. The red color also recalls the traditional bright scarlet ropes worn by the attending royal judges centuries ago.
Anyone interested in joining the planning committee for the Red Mass can contact Suzanne Lafreniere, director of public policy, at [email protected].
Who should attend the Red Mass?
Lawyers, judges, court officers, and government officials of all religious affiliations are invited to attend the Red Mass, as is anyone who wishes to support them or wishes to offer prayers for the fair administration of justice.
History of the Red Mass
The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in Paris, France, in 1245. The tradition then spread throughout Europe. In England, the first Red Mass is believed to have been celebrated around the year 1310 in Westminister Abbey. A Red Mass at the old St. Andrew Church in New York City in 1928 is considered the earliest in the United States, although it is possible it was held in other dioceses prior to that. Traditionally, a Red Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the U.S. Supreme Court's annual term.
