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Originating centuries ago in Rome, Paris, and London, the Red Mass takes its name from the scarlet robes worn by royal judges who attended the Mass and from the red vestments worn by the sacred ministers, who celebrated it as a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Red Mass historically marked the official opening of the judicial year of the Sacred Roman Rota, the Tribunal of the Holy See.
In the United States, the Red Mass tradition was started at old Saint Andrew’s Church in New York City in 1928. Since 1953, the Archbishop of Washington has presided at the Red Mass in our Nation’s capital. Celebrated the Sunday before the first Monday in October, when the Supreme Court of the United States begins its term, the Red Mass assembly there often includes the President of the United States, the Chief Justice of the United States and Associate Justices, other leading federal, state and local jurists, cabinet officials, members of Congress, diplomats, university presidents, deans, professors, students of law, and lawyers—both civil and canonical.As in the past, the Red Mass invokes God’s blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials.
The Diocese of Stockton is pleased to announce the 2024 Red Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, 400 West Rose Street in Stockton, at 9:00 in the morning.
Judges, attorneys, legal professionals (law clerks, paralegals, and secretaries), legislators and government officials, and sheriffs and chiefs of police in the counties of Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne comprising the Diocese of Stockton, their colleagues, spouses, family members, and friends are invited to the celebration of the Red Mass.