As we begin each judicial year, the Catholic Lawyers’ Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston sponsors the traditional Red Mass to ask for divine guidance in the proper representation of clients and in the proper administration of justice in the courts and in public office. Since its inception, the Red Mass has remained the ceremonial highlight of the Guild’s year.
The Red Mass has a rich history. Beginning in England during the Middle Ages and continuing even through World War II, the entire bench and bar attended the Mass at the opening of the Court’s term.
Liturgically, the Red Mass is celebrated as the Solemn Mass of the Holy Spirit. Its name derives from the traditional red color of the vestments worn by clergy during the Mass, representing the tongues of fire symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Judges of the High Court, who were all doctors of the law, also wore red robes or academic hoods. With so many participants in red, the celebrations became irrevocably known as the Red Mass. The Red Mass historically marked the official opening of the judicial year of the Sacred Roman Rota, the Tribunal of the Holy See.
In the United States, the Red Mass tradition was inaugurated on October 6, 1928, at old St. Andrew’s Church in New York City. Since then, the Red Mass has been celebrated throughout the United States each fall before the U.S. Supreme Court’s term begins.
The first Red Mass celebrated in Boston is eloquently described by Reverend Charles Donovan in his book, The History of Boston College:
“On October 4, 1941, the Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, known in a tradition which goes back many centuries in Rome, Paris and London as the “Red Mass,” was celebrated for the first time in Massachusetts to mark the opening of the judicial year. The ceremony, which took place in the Immaculate Conception Church, was under the auspices of Cardinal O’Connell and the Boston College Law School.
The function drew the most distinguished legal assemblage ever gathered in the state for a religious service. Governor Leverett Saltonstall and Mayor Maurice J. Tobin led the procession…up the center aisle. Among the participants were the chief justice and the full bench of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; the judges of the Massachusetts probate courts and The United States Courts; judges of the land courts, district courts, and the Boston municipal courts; the attorney general of the state and his entire staff; the United States attorney and his entire staff; district attorneys and assistant district attorneys; and representatives from all the law schools and law societies in the state.”
The Red Mass is celebrated in honor of the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude, gifts which shine forth preeminently in the dispensing of justice in the courtroom as well as in the individual lawyer’s office. Other blessings that are commonly requested to prevail in the minds, offices, and court rooms are Divine strength, wisdom, truth, and justice. Today, the Red Mass is attended by judges, lawyers and court officials of all faiths asking God to bless, strengthen and enlighten all servants of the law and all people of faith so that in cooperation and mutual trust, we may effectively achieve justice.
The Catholic Lawyers’ Guild of the Ardiocese of Boston, Inc. held its annual Red Mass on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 9:30 AM at the Seaport Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Boston, with a brunch reception immediately following the Mass at the Seaport Boston Hotel Lighthouse Room, which is a few blocks…
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