'Red Mass' planned Sept. 30 in West End

July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.


Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist of the third annual Monmouth County Red Mass at 12 noon Sept. 30 in St. Michael Church, West End. The Mass is open to all individuals, especially those in the legal profession.

The origins of a Red Mass dates to the Middle Ages. It derives its name from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the clergy, and also evokes the English tradition of the color of the academic robes and hoods of individuals who have earned a degree in law. In the United States, the Red Mass is traditionally celebrated the Sunday before the first Monday of October, the opening of the judicial term of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, retired Monmouth County Assignment Judge of the N.J. Superior Court, will read the roll of recently deceased members of the Monmouth County Bar. 

The Mass will be followed by a reception on the parish grounds.

Among the concelebrating priests will be Father John Butler, pastor of St. Michael Parish, who practiced as a corporate lawyer before entering the seminary in 2009.

For more information on the Red Mass, call the parish office at 732-222-8080. St. Michael Parish is at 800 Ocean Ave., West End.

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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist of the third annual Monmouth County Red Mass at 12 noon Sept. 30 in St. Michael Church, West End. The Mass is open to all individuals, especially those in the legal profession.

The origins of a Red Mass dates to the Middle Ages. It derives its name from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the clergy, and also evokes the English tradition of the color of the academic robes and hoods of individuals who have earned a degree in law. In the United States, the Red Mass is traditionally celebrated the Sunday before the first Monday of October, the opening of the judicial term of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, retired Monmouth County Assignment Judge of the N.J. Superior Court, will read the roll of recently deceased members of the Monmouth County Bar. 

The Mass will be followed by a reception on the parish grounds.

Among the concelebrating priests will be Father John Butler, pastor of St. Michael Parish, who practiced as a corporate lawyer before entering the seminary in 2009.

For more information on the Red Mass, call the parish office at 732-222-8080. St. Michael Parish is at 800 Ocean Ave., West End.

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