Red Mass for Diocese of Toledo - Thursday, September 13, 2007, 6 pm

From the website for the Catholic Diocese of Toledo:

It was not until 1928 that the Vatican introduced the Red Mass to the United States. Now, nearly 80 years later, the Red Mass has become an annual fall tradition. Held on September 13, 2007, the Mass will ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction for all those who promote justice in their daily lives especially those in legal and political professions. All lawyers, judges and politicians throughout the Diocese of Toledo are invited to celebrate. This service is considered an expression of appreciation for those who afford justice to all people. We will ask for many blessings to be imparted on all the participants in their hearts, minds, courtrooms and offices.

The Red Mass will be held at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, located at 2535 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, OH. Bishop Leonard P. Blair will preside.

For more information, contact the Diocese of Toledo at 419-244-6711 ext. 148 or 149.

From The Toledo Blade:

Diocese schedules Red Mass, possibly a first for Toledo

A Red Mass, intended to remind members of the legal community of their unique responsibility in promoting justice, will be said Thursday in Toledo's Rosary Cathedral, church and legal officials announced yesterday.

It is believed to be the first time since the Toledo Catholic Diocese's founding in 1910 that a Red Mass will be celebrated for the entire diocese.

Bishop Leonard Blair will preside at the Red Mass, named for the color of the cleric's vestments.

The Rev. Charles Singler, rector of Rosary Cathedral and director of worship for the diocese, said the color red symbolizes the Holy Spirit appearing as tongues of fire when descending on Jesus' apostles, according to the biblical book of Acts, Chapter 2.

An invocation of the Holy Spirit will be said during the Mass, which starts at 6 p.m. in the cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd., according to Father Singler.

He and the Rev. Marvin Borger, vicar general and chancellor, will hear confessions at the cathedral starting at 5 p.m.

Toledo Municipal Court Judge Mike Goulding, chairman of the steering committee, said he was challenged by a Detroit priest and family friend, the Rev. David Bayne, to organize a Red Mass in Toledo.

The judge said he contacted the diocese in February and received the full support of Bishop Blair.

More than 20 judges, lawyers, and other members of the legal community served on the steering committee, according to Joe McNamara, a Toledo councilman and lawyer who helped organize the Red Mass.

"The Red Mass is a wonderful opportunity for the legal community to honor God and celebrate the tradition of fairly administering justice in society," Mr. McNamara said.

The first known Red Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of Paris in 1245, and became a tradition in England during the reign of King Edward II in the 14th century.

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Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Origin and History of The "Red Mass"

Justice Ginsburg Boycotts "Outrageously" Pro-Life Red Mass

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