A tradition that was revived 40 years ago will continue next month when the Red Mass is celebrated at St. Joseph Cathedral.
The diocese’s Red Mass, which was restarted in 1985 by the local Thomas More Society, will be held at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 with Bishop Earl Fernandes as the principal celebrant.
The Red Mass is a tradition in the Catholic Church that dates to 1245, initiated by Pope Innocent IV, to pray for those serving in the legal profession, which today includes individuals involved in the legal, judiciary and government sector.
Attorneys, judges, legal aides and legislators are typically among the attendees, but the Mass is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
“The Red Mass is a Catholic Mass,” said Kim Shumate, president of the central Ohio chapter of the Thomas More Society, “but everyone is invited. It’s a Mass for the justice system, for our judges and legislators and people who are making law and helping citizens find their way through the law.
“It’s a prayer for all of them, and that’s not because they’re Catholic. They could be any faith or no faith at all. We’re trying to get away from the idea that you have to be Catholic to participate.”
The Red Mass derives its name from the color of vestments worn by the clergy at Mass. Liturgically, red is associated with the Holy Spirit and martyrdom. St. Thomas More, the patron of lawyers, served as lord chancellor of England in the 1500s and was martyred after he opposed King Henry VIII’s separation from the Catholic Church.
“The Red Mass is unique, not just because of its long and rich history which dates back to the 13th century but because of the very visual actions within the Mass, such as the procession of judges in their judicial robes, the presence of the police pipe and drum corps, the celebration and preaching of Bishop Fernandes, and the presence of many others involved in the justice professions paints a wonderful panorama emphasizing beautifully the way the Red Mass calls on the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire everyone present to seek and implement true justice – God’s justice – in our society,” said Deacon Tom Berg Jr., the diocesan chancellor.
The Thomas More Society, named in recognition of the saint, was established in 1998 as a national public interest law firm focused on defending life, family and freedom. The local chapter, which organizes the Mass at the Cathedral and a reception afterward for legal professionals, includes around 100 members.
In 1985, Bishop Emeritus James Griffin, a civil and Canon lawyer, was leading the diocese when the Red Mass was restarted. The Mass was well attended for years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
“It’s a day to celebrate the legal profession – judges, lawyers, legislators, college presidents, paralegals … those are the people it’s always been aimed at,” local Catholic attorney Tom Winters said. “At one time, we would almost fill the church.”
In addition to the professionals, students have attended the Mass in the past, but in smaller numbers today, from Columbus St. Charles Preparatory School, St. Francis DeSales and Bishop Watterson high schools and Cristo Rey Columbus.
“We’re trying to rekindle that,” Winters said. “COVID just knocked the wind out of everything like that.
“We’re trying to get younger people. And, of course, getting younger people interested in anything to do with religion is getting harder and harder, but it’s a great way for young people to find mentors.”
Shumate is looking to generate a rejuvenation of sorts to attract more interest in the Red Mass and in the group.
“We’re inviting a lot of people to attend and we’re soliciting parishes directly this year and all of our attorneys in central Ohio,” she said, “and we will be specifically inviting legislators and judges. We’re looking for a robust turnout with Bishop Fernandes once again saying Mass for us.”
With more attorneys and professionals working remotely or in suburban areas since the pandemic, they are not as connected as they once were to downtown offices that afforded easy access to the Cathedral. Consequently, it’s not as convenient for some to make it to the Red Mass.
“And a lot of the Catholic attorneys who are new to the area aren’t really aware,” Shumate said. “We definitely need more visibility. The usual ways that we had of connecting and letting people know have really changed since COVID. That’s why we’re doing a push with email and we’re thinking that we’re going to establish a website for the organization.”
A date change could also account for the dip in attendance. In 2022, the Red Mass was moved to the fall after being held for years in the spring. October is also campaign season for some elected officials.
The Red Mass is typically celebrated in many dioceses during October to coincide with the start of the Supreme Court’s term.
“The late Chief Justice Tom Moyer really promoted it within the judiciary and past Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor did too,” Winters said. “The Ohio Supreme Court has been supportive and even some of the federal district courts in Columbus and the municipal courts. At one time, it would be common for 30 to 40 judges to show up.”
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Julie Lynch, the mother of Father Timothy Lynch, pastor at Columbus St. Mary, Mother of God Church, is a Red Mass supporter. State officials who have attended in the past include Gov. Mike DeWine, when he was Ohio’s attorney general, and current Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Winters mentioned Bishop Griffin, the late Judge R. Patrick West and attorneys Tom Cavanaugh, Charles Schneider, Tom Morrison and Alphonse Cincione as driving forces in the 1980s to help build recognition for the Red Mass.
The efforts of West, Cavanaugh, Cincione and Moyer have been recognized in the past with awards from the local Thomas More Society. Other recipients have included attorneys John Conroy and Tom Bonasera, Msgr. Thomas Bennett, Msgr. Stephan Moloney and Judge Peggy Bryant. Bishop Griffin was presented a lifetime achievement award last year.
This year’s honoree is attorney Tim Bechtold, the longtime treasurer of the local Thomas More Society.
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