Marking its 70th year, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and the John Carroll Society will host the annual Red Mass on October 2, 2022, the day before the opening of the Supreme Court’s new term. The annual Mass invokes God’s guidance and blessing on justices, judges, diplomats, attorneys and government officials. Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will be the main celebrant. Bishop John O. Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, will be the homilist
70th Annual Red Mass
Sunday, October 2, 2022
9 a.m. ET
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(Limited seating for credentialed journalists will be available inside by contacting the archdiocese to RSVP. Journalists inside the cathedral will be permitted to take notes, but recording or photography of any kind will not be permitted.)
The Red Mass is a tradition that dates back many centuries to Rome, Paris, and London. The name comes from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the celebrants and the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
At a brunch at the Capitol Hilton following the Mass, the John Carroll Society will honor several legal professionals who provide pro bono support to the Catholic Charities legal network with the Pro Bono Legal Awards in recognition of volunteer service. The Red Mass and Pro Bono Legal Awards are sponsored each year by the John Carroll Society, a Washington area organization that provides spiritual, intellectual, charitable and social opportunities for Catholic professionals in service to the Archbishop of Washington. Learn more about the John Carroll Society in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington at johncarrollsociety.org.