Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston Hosts Annual Red Mass & Luncheon

Honoring the official start of the new court year, The Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston will come together to host its annual Red Mass and Luncheon on Sunday, September 29.  The public is invited to attend.  The Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston supports Catholic lawyers, seeks to promote the highest ethical standards in the practice of law and encourages service in society.  

Keynote Speaker at the Luncheon is scheduled to be distinguished author, law professor, financial advisor to The Vatican and Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl A. Anderson.

Marking a tradition that extends back to the 13th century, The Red Mass will be celebrated at The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street in Boston's South End, at 11:30 AM.  The Luncheon will follow at 1 PM at The Seaport Hotel, One Seaport Lane in Boston.  (Discounted validated parking will be available at the hotel.)

The Guild welcomes and encourages the general public to attend both The Red Mass and Luncheon. The Red Mass is free and open to the public; tickets to the Luncheon are available for $125.00 per person ($75 per person for law students and new lawyers having five or fewer years admitted to the Bar) by visiting www.clgb.org.  For information, call 617-722-8110.

Named for the majestic red vestments worn by the celebrants, The Red Mass is traditionally attended by judges, lawyers and court officials of all faiths seeking blessings, strength and enlightenment for all servants of the law so justice may be achieved in the spirit of cooperation and mutual trust.  (Traditionally, doctors, nurses and health care professionals seek similar enlightenment by participating in a White Mass. Police officers and public safety workers attend a Blue Mass.) 

The Most Reverend Robert P. Deeley, J.C.D, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston, will celebrate the Red Mass and offer a homily.

Keynote Speaker Carl A. Anderson

Among Carl A. Anderson's many accomplishments:

•  As Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Anderson is the chief executive officer and board chairman of the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization, which serves more than 1.8 million members. 

•  During Mr. Anderson’s tenure, the Knights of Columbus established the $1 million Heroes Fund to provide immediate assistance to the families of rescue workers killed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.  In conjunction with Project Medishare, the Knights of Columbus, through the “Healing Haiti’s Children” program, is providing free prosthetic limbs and a minimum of two years of rehabilitation therapy to children in Haiti who lost a limb or limbs as a result of the January 2010 earthquake that devastated that country.

•  Mr. Anderson is a member of the Board of Superintendence of the Institute for the Works of Religion, also known as The Vatican Bank.  He has worked more closely with the Vatican and with Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis than nearly any other layman in the United States. 

•  Mr. Anderson was the only Catholic layman from North America to serve as an auditor at the World Synod of Bishops in 2001, 2005 and 2008.

•  From 1983 to 1987, he served in various positions of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, including special assistant to the President and acting director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. 

•  A frequent guest on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC's "Today Show" and NPR's "All Things Considered," he is the author of several books including The New York Times bestseller, A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do To Transform The World and Beyond a House Divided: The Moral Consensus Ignored by Washington, Wall Street & the Media.

The Red Mass In History

The Red Mass dates back to 1245 at the Chapel of Sainte Chapelle in Paris.  Sixty years later, The Red Mass was celebrated in England during the reign of Edward I.  

Marked by centuries of tradition, The Red Mass has been celebrated internationally from Rome to Paris, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and The Philippines.  One of the largest Red Masses is held annually in Washington, D.C. on the Sunday before the Supreme Court convenes on the first Monday in October.

Guild President Paul McNamara commented, "The Red Mass was first celebrated in Boston in 1941 at the Immaculate Conception Church, under the auspices of Cardinal O’Connell and the Boston College Law School.  It is our honor to continue this annual tradition by sharing the day with our friends, colleagues and all in the congregation who wish to join us for this special occasion."

The Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston

Established in 1987, The Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston fosters a sense of wisdom, community and guidance to Catholic lawyers as they apply their faith to the ever-changing challenges of professional versus personal life.   The Guild is dedicated both to furthering the highest ethical standards in the practice of law and championing service in society.  

With access to a wealth of experience, membership in the Guild allows for senior professionals to serve as mentors and provide guidance to newer lawyers.  The Guild also cultivates a rich forum in which both judges and lawyers may meet on a level playing field to discuss issues of faith.

Encouraging members to live their faith within their professions with courage and reason, The Guild is open to anyone in the legal field, from law school students to the most experienced professionals.  Recognized by the Archdiocese of Boston, The Guild also offers its legal service in an advisory capacity to the Archdiocese. 

What:    

The Red Mass & Red Mass Luncheon

Hosted by:    

The Catholic Lawyers' Guild of Boston

When:

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Where:    

The Red Mass

11:30 a.m. • The Cathedral Of The Holy Cross

1400 Washington Street in Boston.

The Luncheon

1 p.m. • The Seaport Hotel

One Seaport Lane in Boston  02210

(Discounted validated parking will be available at the hotel.)

Scheduled Guest Speaker at the Luncheon:

Carl A. Anderson

Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus

Cost:    

The Luncheon

$125 per person

$75 per person for law students and new lawyers having five or fewer years admitted to the Bar.

Reservations: 

www.clgb.org or call 617-722-8110 for information.