Evening star., 1940-01-14
The Red Mass
To Be Celebrated
Here Next Sunday
Custom, Inouguroted
Lost Year, Is Expected
To Be Annual Event

"The red mass" will be celebrated
in the National Shrine of the I'M
maculate Conception on the Catholic
University Campus next Sunday at
1890 am. in observance of the OPEN
ing Of the third session of the Sew
enty-Sixth Congress.
This custom was inaugurated last
year by the Very Rev. Robert j,
White, dean of the Catholic Uni
versity Law School, who hopes to
establish it as an annual tradition.
For centuries it has been the GUS
tom in France for judges and legis-
lators at the opening of their ses-
slons to participate in "the red
mass" This unique term was
adopted because the particular petit
ton OF the mass sought the aid of
the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the
flaming fire of Divine love and wis
dom. The vestments of the priests
were red and the robes of the JUS
tices who attended were scarlet
Tradition has it the custom was
initiated by the judges who, con-
scious of their human limitations,
met in the holy sacrifice of the
mass to invoke the aid of the Di-
vine source of wisdom and Justice
In their deliberations.
Adopted in England.
The custom was adopted later in
England where for several centuries
members of the judiciary and the
bar joined in "the red mass" at the
time Of the opening of the courts.
In the United States the tradition
was inaugurated in New York where
the Guild of Catholic Lawyers meet
annually with judges and law fac
ulties for the votive mass in old
st. Andrews Church in the shadow
of the State and Federal court
buildings. Today the observance
takes place in Illinois, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and California, in
addition to New York City.
Father White, who will celebrate
"the red mass" states that La
Sainte Chappelle, an architectural
gem, was built in Paris during the
reign of Louis TX, st. Louis Of
France, who ruled from 1226-70, in
appreciation of the solemn signifi-
canoe of this ceremony, and that
1t was used but once during the
year and then for this impressive
observance.
Began Here Last Year.
The rite was inaugurated here
last year as part of the university's
semi-centennial celebration, it is ex-
pected that the. law school will con-
tinue the tradition in years to come.
Assisting Father White will be the
Rev. John P. Maher. o. S. A., of
the Augustinian College, as deacon;
the Rev. Thomas P. Garrett, o. S. A.,
also of Augustinian College. as sub
deacon, and the Rev. William j.
Lallou, as master of ceremonies The
Rev. Walter j. Schmitz, S. S., of the
Sulpician Seminary will be assistant
master of ceremonies.
The Most Rev. John F. OHara,
president of Notre Dame University,
recently appointed auxiliary bishop
OF the Army-Navy Diocese, will
preach the sermon. Bishop OHara
will be consecrated at Notre Dame
January is and his appearance at
the Catholic University will be his
first public function since his ele-
walton to the episcopate. Among
those present at the conservation
will be the Right Rev. Joseph M.
Corrigan, rector, and the Right Rev.
P. j. Mccormick, vice rector of the
university.
The Washington Chapter of the
Catholic University Alumni Associa-
ton will hold a dinner meeting
January % in the university dining
hall. Msgr. Corrigan and Msgr. Nc
Cormick will be guests of honor.
Officers for the 1940-41 term will be
elected.