23 March 2013

Lentorama 2013: There's a Name for That

Day 34: Red Mass

The Red Mass is an annual service aimed at seeking guidance for lawyers, law students, elected officials and anyone else whose work aims to serve justice. The color red references both the tongues of fire aimed at the apostles at Pentecost, as well as the traditional color of legal robes in the Middle Ages.

Of the various Red Masses celebrated currently, perhaps the best known one in the US is held in Washington before the start of a new Supreme Court term. Various mucky-mucks attend, including several Justices (Scalia probably gets a front-pew seat). In recent years some or all of the female members of the Court have given it a miss, objecting to anti-abortion sermons.

The oldest Red Mass in the US, held for over 100 years, takes place at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

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