Red Mass at Westminster Cathedral

lawyers at Red Mass

The Red Mass - the annual Mass for the legal profession, was celebrated at Westminster Cathedral by Bishop John Sherrington, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, on Monday, 1 October, to mark the start of the new legal year. Judges, lawyers, solicitors and other court staff, dressed in their official wigs and robes - gathered for the service, and attended a reception afterward. During his homily, Bishop Sherrington urged those present to be guided by the cardinal virtues of justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude in serving society.

He said: "We pray today that the Holy Spirit will continue to perfect the virtues in your service of justice. The virtue of justice renders to the other what is due to himself or herself. It protects human dignity so that all are seen and treated as equals. Prudence develops right thinking and right willing about actions so that a balanced judgement may be made. Temperance enables the right appetite towards what is good to be developed so that the passions and emotions are recognised and integrated into one's character in an appropriate way. Fortitude enables one to act with persistence and determination for the good."

The Red Mass has always been an important celebration in the legal year. Before the Reformation the Judiciary and legal profession gathered at Westminster Abbey on the first day of the Michaelmas term, and law year, to call upon the Holy Spirit to guide it in its work in the year ahead. This practice stopped during the Reformation but was revived in 1891, and from then until 1904 was celebrated in the Sardinian Chapel, now the Parish church of St Anselm and St Cecilia, Kingsway. In 1904 the Mass was transferred to Westminster Cathedral at the request of Archbishop Bourne (as he was then). Every year since then the tradition has continued at the Cathedral.

The arrangements for the Mass are made each year by the Thomas More Society, whose membership comprises mainly of Catholic members of the Judiciary and Bar as well as solicitors.

Source: Archbishops House