Origin and History of The "Red Mass"

Image Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

From the Medieval Saints Yahoo Group:

Red Mass

Liturgical Color: Red

Themes & Motives: to invoke divine guidance and strength upon those charged with the pursuit of justice through the courts, whether as judges or as lawyers, now broadened to include legislators, law enforcement and others in public service of the law.

Instituted: probably 1200, first documented Red Mass was in 1245

Commemorated on the first Sunday in May

The Red Mass is called such due to the red vestments worn by Royal Judges participating in the Pope's tribunal. Additionally the use of red garments continues today because of it's representation of the Holy Sprit in Roman Catholic ritual.


History of The Red Mass
http://www.redmass.com/AboutRM.htm

The "Red Mass" is a historical tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the Thirteenth Century when it officially opened the term of the court for most European countries.

The celebrants--government officials, lawyers and judges--would proceed into a church clothed in red vestments or red garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice in their daily lives.

This important historic tradition was introduced into the United States in 1928 in the Church of St. Andrew, located in New York City. It was presided over by His Eminence Patrick Cardinal Haves, who strongly encouraged and supported the involvement of the legal community in spreading the Word of God.

The Red Mass is currently celebrated in dioceses throughout the United States, including many of the dioceses of Florida, to invoke God's blessing upon the members of the Bench, Bar, Legislature, Law Enforcement and Governmental agencies, all protectors and administrators of the Law.

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THE RED MASS: A Brief History
From Ad Veritatem, St. Thomas More Society, March 1997

The first recorded Red Mass, a special Mass for the Bench and Bar, was celebrated in Paris in 1245. For many centuries it was held in the chapel of the Order of Advocates, La Sainte Chapelle, which was built by Louis IX. In certain localities of France, the Red Mass was celebrated in honor of St. Ives, the patron Saint of Lawyers. In England, the tradition began about 1310 during the reign of Edward I. The entire Bench and Bar attended the Red Mass together at the opening of each term of Court. The priest and judges of the High Court wore red robes thus the Eucharist celebration became popularly known as the "Red Mass".

The tradition of the Red Mass has continued in the United States. In Washington, D.C., the members of the United States Supreme Court join the President and members of Congress in the celebration at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception [ED.: Held the Sunday before the 1st Monday in October, to coincide with the start of the Supreme Court term]. The Red Mass is also celebrated in Sacramento and most other state capitals and major cities throughout the United States.

President Bush and Chief Justice Roberts with Cardinal McCarrick
at the Red Mass in October 2005