The Red Mass

 The Red Mass is a special Mass celebrated once a year for those involved in the government and legal system. In the Roman Catholic Church, those who work in the legal profession are viewed as having a special duty; their God-given power and responsibility to judge and fairly govern are held in extremely high regard. To the pro-life cause, those who create and uphold our laws offer the greatest hope for protecting all innocent human life and we must continually pray that God will move them to stand up for the defenseless. At a Red Mass, the emphasis is placed on asking the Holy Spirit to guide those in attendance as they make laws and decisions governed by divine wisdom, truth and justice. Those celebrating the Mass wear red vestments; in the Roman Catholic faith, red represents the Holy Spirit.   In the US, the most famous Red Mass is the one held annually in Washington, D.C. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. This Red Mass is celebrated on the Sunday before the first Monday of October, due to the Supreme Court beginning each new term on the first Monday of the month. It is attended by the Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as many members of Congress and various other government offices, regardless of their religious affiliation.