THE ROMAN CATHOLIC Diocese of Orange is once again honoring the contributions and bestowing blessings on individuals working in the legal profession and in the field of public safety, by celebrating the Red Mass and Blue Mass.
The Blue Mass, which celebrates police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel, takes place on Sept. 29 at 5:45 p.m. at Christ Cathedral.
Public safety personnel are encouraged to attend in uniform.
The Red Mass, which celebrates judges, lawyers, law students, law faculty and court personnel, takes place on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. Christ Cathedral.
The Red Mass is a private Mass for individuals in the legal profession.
Bishop Kevin Vann will be the main celebrant for both Masses, said Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese.
BLUE MASS
The origins of the Blue Mass date back to 1934, when Fr. Thomas Dade, a priest based at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. decided to celebrate a Mass to recognize the work of police officers and other first responders, to pray for their fallen brothers and sisters and to seek God’s blessing for their own safety. The name “Blue Mass” comes from the traditional color of many officers’ uniforms.
The Blue Mass is always held on the feast day for St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of military and public safety workers.
In Roman Catholic teachings, St. Michael defeated Satan, casting him out of Heaven and is therefore associated with protection, courage and divine intervention.
“This is a diocesan event to recognize the importance of the work that these individuals do for our community and to pray for them so that they can be safe,” Deacon Cordero said. “They’re placing their lives in harm’s way every single day for our safety. It’s an opportunity for us as a Diocese to share with the community at large and show that we care for them, that we pray for them, that we keep them in our minds and that we thank them for all that they do for us.”
The number of congregants has grown each year since the Diocese began hosting the Blue Mass in 2021, the deacon said.
Firefighters were invited for the first time in 2023.
Public safety personnel will serve as lectors during the Mass and all public safety personnel will be asked to stand and receive a special blessing.
THE RED MASS
The St. Thomas More Society of Orange County, an independent organization sponsored by individuals working in the legal profession who are practicing members of the Catholic Church, is hosting the Red Mass for the 36th consecutive year.
THE RED MASS, WHICH RECOGNIZES THOSE WORKING IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHO ARE PRACTICING MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, WAS CELEBRATED ON OCT. 6, 2023, AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Part of the organization’s mission is to provide opportunities for the Catholic legal community to fortify their faith through prayer, fellowship and education.
The Red Mass at Christ Cathedral is celebrated through a partnership between the Diocese and the St. Thomas More Society of OC.
“They have a very important job on their hands,” Deacon Modesto said of the legal community. “They’re dealing with justice, and we want to be sure that we are praying that when they exercise their power, especially the judges, that justice is served, especially for those who are poor and the needy and those who are in harm’s way. So, we pray also for them because I know that they have to make decisions that sometimes are not the more popular ones.”
Fr. Al Baca, senior priest at St. Anne Catholic Church in Seal Beach, is serving as guest homilist.
Attorney John C. Peiffer II, a partner with the Irvine law firm of Brown & Streza LLP, will be honored as the St. Thomas More Society Orange County Attorney of the Year.
“As always, there will be a complimentary dinner after Mass,” said William Brown, board member and past president of the St. Thomas More Society of Orange County. “The annual Mass relies on donations, as well as sponsorships from attorneys and law firms.”
In the United States, the first Red Mass was celebrated in 1887 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Detroit.
Judges attending the Red Mass traditionally wear red robes as a representation of a tradition dating back to the 13th century, where the Red Mass has its roots.
At the start of the judicial year in Washington, D.C., the president and members of Congress join with justices of the U.S. Supreme Court to celebrate the Red Mass
at the Cathedral of St. Matthew.
The Red Mass is also celebrated in Sacramento and most other state capitals and major cities throughout the U.S.
California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero delivered the closing remarks at the Red Mass celebrated by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Oct. 25, 2023.
In a world that can often seem turbulent, judges must never abandon their duty as guardians of the law, Guerrero said.
“It is a difficult time when we are called to do all that’s in our power in ways, big or small, to create a more just world,” the chief justice said. “We must continue to pursue justice and compassion, uphold the truth, and defend the rights of the most vulnerable.”