The annual Red Mass sponsored by the Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Roger Gries on Oct. 7 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Father Raymond Guiao, S.J., president of St. Ignatius High School, concelebrated.
Dozens of attorneys and judges attended the Mass. The Red Mass is said to have originated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245 to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the judges of the ecclesiastical courts. It is believed that the liturgy was celebrated in honor of St. Ives of Brittany, the patron saint of lawyers.
At the beginning of the 14th century, the practice of the Red Mass spread to England during the reign of King Edward I. The entire bench and bar attended the special liturgy at the beginning of the spring term of court. The name Red Mass became a tradition because of the red robes worn by the judges and the red vestments worn by the priests.
The Red Mass was introduced to the United States in 1928 at St. Andrew?s Church in New York City.
Michael Frantz, partner, Frantz Ward LLP, received the St. Thomas More Award from the guild. Cornerstone of Hope, represented by Mark and Christine Tripodi, received
