Red Mass honors those in the legal professions and emergency responders

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis presides at the annual Red Mass on Oct. 11 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

Salt Lake City – Bishop Oscar A. Solis celebrated the Red Mass, which recognizes Utah’s attorneys, judges, law enforcement, military personnel, emergency responders and others, on Oct. 11 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

The Mass is named for the red vestments traditionally worn by the clergy, which symbolize the Holy Spirit.

Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Martin Diaz, the cathedral’s rector; Msgr. Joseph M. Mayo, a retired priest of the diocese who was formerly the cathedral rector; Fr. Langes Silva, judicial vicar for the Diocese of Salt Lake City; and Fr. Patrick Elliott, a retired priest of the diocese. Deacon John Kranz assisted at the Mass. Choristers from The Madeleine Choir School provided the music ministry.

Dignitaries who attended the Mass included John Huber, U.S. attorney for the Department of Justice; Patrick Leary, chief of staff to Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski; Jeffrey Hall, chief deputy of the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office; Tim Doubt, deputy chief of the Salt Lake City Police Department; Chief Karl Lieb of the Salt Lake City Fire Department; U.S. District Court Chief Justice David Nuffer; the Hon. David Sam, senior U.S. District judge; Col. Darwin Craig of the Utah Air National Guard; Kathryn Nestor, federal defender; and Imam Muhammed S. Mehter of the Khadeeja Mosque, Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake City.

During his homily, Bishop Solis said, “The Red Mass affirms the sacred character of the law and the importance of the administration of justice that provides the necessary order to our society. We are aware of the sacrifices and challenges you face in carrying out your civic responsibility as guardians and protectors of the law. So, on behalf of our community here in Salt Lake City and the state of Utah, please allow me to express our grateful appreciation for the great service you render for the welfare of the people and to acknowledge and encourage you further in the practice of your noble profession with our heartfelt offering of prayers.”

Discussing the specific challenges faced by those in the legal and first responder professions, Bishop Solis urged them to look to the Holy Spirit in their “courageous battle to uphold the law, in the struggles to defend the rights of the poor and the helpless; and in your commitment to safeguard individual and religious rights. In all that you do, the Holy Spirit will be your inspiration to be beacons of hope for the world and to be instruments of peace and harmony among the people. As public servants, we are counting on you. Our prayer here today manifests our conviction that with God by your side, you will be filled with wisdom and guidance so that you may know more readily, in every circumstance, what is right and good and have the courage to carry it out, even when it demands personal and professional sacrifices. May the grace of God give you the strength and the joy of serving to build a civilization of love and peace in our world.”

Bishop Solis thanked everyone present and encouraged participants to pray for all, especially police officers, because many of them put themselves in harm’s way in the exercise of their duties.

In closing, the bishop, who was celebrating his first Red Mass in the diocese since his installation in March, wished attendees “God’s blessings of guidance and protection as you continue your work and profession. May the Holy Spirit fill your hearts always with his love. God bless you and thank you for your service to our society.”

The tradition of the Red Mass began during the Middle Ages as a way for those in the law and criminal justice professions to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in dispensing justice. The Mass is associated with St. Thomas More, who became a martyr in 16th-century England because he refused to swear allegiance to King Henry VIII as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

The Red Mass in Salt Lake City is organized by the local St. Thomas More Society.