Red Mass

 

Last Sunday, the "Red Mass" was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C..

The Red Mass is celebrated each year on the Sunday before the opening session of the U.S. Supreme Court. The tradition of the Mass goes all the way back to 1245 when it was celebrated at the opening of the Sacred Roman Rota to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit for those seeking justice.

Six of the nine Supreme Court justices attended. FIVE of the nine are Catholic - Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Kennedy. Justice Bryer also attended (he's Jewish).

Oh, yeah - the President also attended. That's him in the picture, with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Chief Justice Roberts.

And in case you are wondering, the Sacred Roman Rota is the second highest ecclesiastical court in the Church. The top court is the Apostolic Signatura,