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The Red Mass Tradition
The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245. It received its name from the fact that the celebrants wore red vestments, and the Lord High Justices were robed in brilliant scarlet.
Today the tradition is carried on throughout the world including in Washington DC, where the Supreme Court will herald the opening of its year on October 2. “The main difference between the Red Mass and a traditional Mass is that the focus of prayer and blessings concentrate on the leadership roles of those present,” said Bellair. “The gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude, are customarily invoked upon those in attendance.”History of Diocese of Lubbock Red Mass Speakers
Note: Titles are as of the date each speaker addressed the Red Mass.
2001 Emilio M. Garza, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
2002 Wallace B. Jefferson, Justice, Texas Supreme Court
2003 Anne M Burke, Justice, Illinois Appellate Court (now an Illinois Supreme Court Justice)
2004 Alma L. Lopez, Chief Justice, Fourth Court of Appeals
2005 Walter Huffman, Dean, Texas Tech University School of Law
2006 Jay C. Zainey, Judge, U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
2007 Jane J. Boyle, Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
2008 George P. Kazen, Judge, U. S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
2009 Catherine M. Stone, Chief Justice, Fourth Court of Appeals
2010 Ann Crawford McClure, Chief Justice, Eighth Court of Appeals
2011 Ronald J. Rychlak, Professor of Law, University of Mississippi School of Law
Guest Homilist Most Reverend Cirilo Flores, DD, JD, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange
2012 Sidney Allen Fitzwater Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
2013 Phil Johnson, Justice, Supreme Court of Texas
2014 Most Reverend John Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield
2015 Justice Gina M. Benavides, Thirteenth Court of Appeals