RED MASS – October 8, 2026 @ 6PM  --  All Are Welcome!

 

The Tradition of the Red Mass

The custom of a special Mass for the Bench & Bar arose primarily in England, France and Italy in the early 13th century.  The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in Paris in 1245.  In England, the tradition began about 1310. 

 

The entire Bench & Bar attended the Red Mass together at the opening of each term of Court.  The Mass was celebrated in honor of the Hoy Spirit, for which red vestments are worn.  The judges of the High Court in the time of Edward I, who were all doctors of the law, also wore red robes, and thus the celebration became known as the Red Mass.

 

The Red Mass is offered to invoke divine guidance and strength during the coming term of Court.  It is celebrated in honor of the Holy Spirit as the source of wisdom understanding, counsel and fortitude gifts which must shine forth preeminently in the dispensing of justice in the Courtroom as well as in the individual lawyer’s office.

 

St. Thomas More, Patron of The Catholic Lawyer, once Lord Chancellor of England, was convicted of treason and executed for failure to acknowledge King Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the English Church and his refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy.  He was canonized by Pope Pius X( in 1935.  The life of St. Thomas More, who, as a lawyer, acquired a reputation for honesty and integrity, makes him the appropriate model for English-speaking lawyers, especially laymen trained in the tradition of the Anglo-American common law.

 

Saginaw Diocese

In the mid-1980’s, the late Edward McArdle of Saginaw facilitated the formation of a group of lawyers and judges in the Saginaw Diocese called the Thomas More Fellows.  The purpose of this group was to help organize and promote the celebration of the Red Mass in the Saginaw Diocese.  The service marks a re-dedication to the rule of law and is not one that is observed only by Catholic attorneys and judges alone, but is one in which we are all invited to attend.  It is a celebration of the legal profession and the legal system of which we are all a part.

As a result of the efforts of Ed McArdle and the Thomas More Fellows, the first Saginaw Diocese Red Mass was celebrated in 1987 and annually thereafter.  Inn 1989, Ed McArdle met an untimely death.  The Thomas More Fellows (now the Thomas More Society), endeavored to annually present a tribute in Ed McArdle’s memory to a lawyer or judge from the diocese who, in addition to displaying legal excellence, has made significant contributions to their community, and who best represents the legal profession in their community.  The first tribute was conferred upon Ed McArdle and upon a series of other distinguished jurists and lawyers annually since then.

 

October 8, 2026 will mark the 39th Anniversary of the celebration of The Red Mass here in Saginaw. 

 

This year, the McArdle Award will be presented to the Honorable Partrick J. McGraw.  The Red Mass will be celebrated at The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption (St Mary’s Cathedral) on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 at 6PM.  Following the Mass there will be a reception featuring hearty hors d’oeuvres and some of your favorite beverages (beer, wine, pop, water) where you can mingle with other lawyers, judges, families & friends!  Hope to see you there!