Red Mass

Red Mass. A solemn Votive Mass traditionally celebrated within the Roman Catholic Church at the opening of the judicial year to invoke divine guidance and blessing upon judges, prosecutors, attorneys, law school faculty, students, and government officials. The name derives from the red vestments worn by the celebrants, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and the red robes historically worn by English judges. The service is observed in many countries with common law traditions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and has parallels in some Anglican and Lutheran traditions.

History and origins

The origins of the Red Mass trace back to medieval Europe, with the earliest recorded celebration likely occurring in 1245 in the Chapel of the Order of the Holy Spirit for the Parlement of Paris. The tradition was firmly established in England by the early 14th century, celebrated at the Westminster Abbey opening of the Michaelmas term of the court. This practice was intimately connected with the English judiciary, whose members often processed from the Temple Church to Westminster Abbey for the liturgy. The custom was brought to the United States in 1928 in New York City at the Church of St. Andrew near the New York County Courthouse, largely through the efforts of the St. Thomas More Society. From this beginning, it spread to other major legal centers, including Washington, D.C., where a celebrated annual Red Mass is held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle shortly before the Supreme Court of the United States convenes its new term.

Liturgical elements and celebration

The liturgy is a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, following the standard Roman Rite but with specific prayers for wisdom and justice. The principal visual element is the use of red vestments by the priest, deacon, and other ministers, echoing the traditional red robes of judges and symbolizing the tongues of fire at Pentecost. The Scripture readings often emphasize themes of justice, wisdom, and righteousness, such as passages from the Book of Wisdom or the Gospel of John. A homily is typically delivered, focusing on the ethical and moral dimensions of the legal profession. The celebration often includes a formal procession of clergy, judges in their robes, law school deans, and other dignitaries. Music is provided by a choir, and the rite may incorporate the ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus.

Purpose and significance

The primary purpose is to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon all who administer, practice, and study the law, seeking divine wisdom, prudence, and integrity in the pursuit of justice. It serves as a spiritual reminder of the solemn responsibilities borne by members of the legal profession and the judiciary. The Mass underscores the Catholic belief in a higher moral law that should inform human law, a concept articulated by thinkers like Thomas Aquinas. For many attendees, it represents an important connection between faith and professional vocation. The event also functions as an ecumenical and civic gathering, often attracting prominent figures from various Christian denominations and branches of government.

Notable celebrations and participants

The most prominent American celebration is held annually in Washington, D.C. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, frequently attended by Chief Justices, Associate Justices, members of Congress, the President, and other officials; John F. Kennedy attended in 1961. In New York City, the Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a major event for the New York State Unified Court System. Other significant celebrations occur in Boston at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, in Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and in Sydney, Australia, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Internationally, a notable Red Mass is celebrated for the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa.

Controversies and criticism

The Red Mass has occasionally been a focus of controversy, primarily in the United States concerning the separation of church and state. Critics, including organizations like Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argue that the prominent attendance of Supreme Court justices at a distinctly Catholic service could create an appearance of religious endorsement, potentially undermining public confidence in judicial impartiality. These concerns intensified during the tenure of Chief Justice William Rehnquist and with the appointments of Catholic justices like Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito. Defenders contend that attendance is a matter of personal religious freedom, as protected by the First Amendment, and note that justices of various faiths have attended. Some feminist theologians have also critiqued the tradition's historically male-dominated symbolism and participation.

Category:Christian liturgy Category:Legal ceremonies Category:Votive Masses