Red Mass

[LRThunder]

Has anyone here been to a Red Mass? There’s going to be one right before the legislative session starts in early March. It’s going to be concelebrated by all the bishops of Florida.

I’ve never been to one, but I’m planning on going to this one.

 

[JWC]

I used to live in Tallahassee, and went to the Red Mass a couple of times. It was a great experience–especially having the Mass concelebrated by all the bishops of Florida.

The times I went were when Jeb Bush was governor, and I remember seeing him there.

Just get there early, because it will be packed!

 

[brotherhrolf]

Yes. I have. And it is packed with attorneys and judges, etc.

 

[benedictgal]

I used to plan them at the diocesan level. But, we used to have ours on or about the first Monday of October.

We would have the judges and our legislative delegation process in with the bishop. The opening hymn was Come, Holy Ghost. The readings were the issuing of the 10 commandments, St. Paul’s exhortation to St. Timothy to pray for those in office and the Gospel was the Good Samaritan (a lawyer is involved). The psalm was Lord, You have the words of everlasting life.

Then, they had a big dinner afterwards. My one gripe was that, for doing all the work, I never got invited to the fancy chow. I heard they had steak and some desert I couldn’t pronounce.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . Then, they had a big dinner afterwards. My one gripe was that, for doing all the work, I never got invited to the fancy chow. I heard they had steak and some desert I couldn’t pronounce.

You should have added a reading from 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10* Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop.

 

[benedictgal]

You should have added a reading from 1 Corinthians 9:9-10

Very funny!

In all seriousness, I chose the readings as a sort of “theme”, if you will. The federal judge on our Red Mass committee objected to the Gospel because he said that I should have chosen the one where Jesus told the parable about the unjust judge.

I told his honor that the underlying thread here was that the judicial (as well as the legislative system) was in the service of the law. The spiritual origins of our law lie in the 10 commandments. We are also called to pray for our elected officials (as noted in the letter to Timothy). Then, we need to put that law into practice, as indicated in the Good Samaritan. I reminded the judge that a lawyer was the one who asked Jesus who his neighbor was. He conceded, but, when I no longer planned the Red Mass, he got his way and inserted his choice of the Gospel. However, there was no real theme running through the subsequent Red Masses. Furthermore, the music took a deep nose-dive.

 

[nerddad]

what’s the difference between a “Red” mass and a “Blue” mass??
Our parish has had a “Blue” mass for Fire, Rescue, and Law Enforcement, and thier associated support departments.

 

[benedictgal]

what’s the difference between a “Red” mass and a “Blue” mass??
Our parish has had a “Blue” mass for Fire, Rescue, and Law Enforcement, and thier associated support departments.

The Red Mass is celebrated for members of the judiciary (and, in some cases, the Legislature) on or about the first Monday in October. This is an old custom dating back to the middle Ages. It is called “Red Mass” because the vestments worn are red, and that color is, among other things, the color of the Holy Spirit. The propers for this Mass come from the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is invoked for guidance.

 

[Genesis315]

Has anyone here been to a Red Mass? There’s going to be one right before the legislative session starts in early March. It’s going to be concelebrated by all the bishops of Florida.

I’ve never been to one, but I’m planning on going to this one.

I went to one–it was a local one over which our bishop presided–it was for the local judges and lawyers. SCJ Alito was in town so he was there too .

 

[Genesis315]

The Red Mass is celebrated for members of the judiciary (and, in some cases, the Legislature) on or about the first Monday in October. This is an old custom dating back to the middle Ages. It is called “Red Mass” because the vestments worn are red, and that color is, among other things, the color of the Holy Spirit. The propers for this Mass come from the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is invoked for guidance.

It was also originally called a Red Mass because high court judges and doctors of law in 13th century Britain wore red. Good thing they didn’t wear what judges wear today, or it would be a “Black Mass”