Annual Red Mass encourages honor, prayer for those in legal field
October 10, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.
Updated Oct. 10, 2024
People who believe in God should have no problem understanding the significance of law, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., told New Jersey judges and lawyers at the annual Red Mass.
“Without God, law lacks foundation,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily at the Oct. 6 Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Long Branch. For at least 100 years, the annual Red Mass honors those who currently practice justice and memorializes those who have served to bring justice to society.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bishop celebrates 2024 Red Mass
Bishop O’Connell spoke of the connection between faith in God and the aspects of law and order in the world he molded in his image. “God is the starting point … and God is our goal.”
The Bishop said from the Book of Genesis, “We get the sense that God's first and most noble action was to create order: something out of nothing. Light out of darkness … And the result was law: something that ‘lights’ and ‘orders’ our world, our lives.”
“Without God, law lacks foundation,” Bishop O’Connell added.
He drew from the words of St. Robert Bellarmine, who knew that “law ‘is simply charity, a love that binds and obliges us.’” The Bishop urged members of the judiciary and attendees to “let that insight” of St. Robert be for them.
Remembrance and dedication
While the Red Mass celebrated the loyalty of current practicing lawyers, judges, and government officials – in both legislative and executive branches – it also commemorated the lives of those who have died. The names of the deceased members of the benches and bars within the Trenton Diocese were read, followed by a moment of silence and prayer.
Family members of the late Judge Lisa P. Thornton, the first African American female assignment judge in New Jersey, joined the Mass for a special tribute.
“I remember her wearing red,” said her nephew, Kent Thornton. “She was just an amazing, God-fearing, humble person … a beautiful family person.”
He named his daughter after his aunt. Lisa Thornton said that “being named after her … living up to the Honorable Lisa, it was amazing.”
“It was a really nice experience to have someone like that around us all the time … have nice family moments with us together,” she said.
In March, Monmouth County dedicated a new entrance to the west wing of the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold in honor of the judge, who died in 2023.
Messages to take away
Civil Presiding Judge Owen McCarthy of Monmouth County, a member of St. Denis Parish in Manasquan, explained how important the day was to remember his colleagues who have passed and also to “seek help and guidance … moving forward to the upcoming court year.”
He said his faith leads him to try to do what is right and serve his community.
“We have a role in helping others, particularly in challenging times,” he said.
Superior Court Judge Natalie Watson, member of St. Anselm in Tinton Falls and former parishioner of St. Michael’s, found the Mass particularly meaningful as she is a new judge. The service helped her “to reflect on how best I can serve the community and legal field.”
Holding the St. Thomas prayer card following Mass, she said she can serve by “remembering ‘charity, diligence, duties, council, adversity, patience and pain’ … and ‘being a good servant.’”
Related Stories
Friday, October 18, 2024
E-Editions
Events
Updated Oct. 10, 2024
People who believe in God should have no problem understanding the significance of law, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., told New Jersey judges and lawyers at the annual Red Mass.
“Without God, law lacks foundation,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily at the Oct. 6 Mass at St. Michael’s Church, Long Branch. For at least 100 years, the annual Red Mass honors those who currently practice justice and memorializes those who have served to bring justice to society.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bishop celebrates 2024 Red Mass
Bishop O’Connell spoke of the connection between faith in God and the aspects of law and order in the world he molded in his image. “God is the starting point … and God is our goal.”
The Bishop said from the Book of Genesis, “We get the sense that God's first and most noble action was to create order: something out of nothing. Light out of darkness … And the result was law: something that ‘lights’ and ‘orders’ our world, our lives.”
“Without God, law lacks foundation,” Bishop O’Connell added.
He drew from the words of St. Robert Bellarmine, who knew that “law ‘is simply charity, a love that binds and obliges us.’” The Bishop urged members of the judiciary and attendees to “let that insight” of St. Robert be for them.
Remembrance and dedication
While the Red Mass celebrated the loyalty of current practicing lawyers, judges, and government officials – in both legislative and executive branches – it also commemorated the lives of those who have died. The names of the deceased members of the benches and bars within the Trenton Diocese were read, followed by a moment of silence and prayer.
Family members of the late Judge Lisa P. Thornton, the first African American female assignment judge in New Jersey, joined the Mass for a special tribute.
“I remember her wearing red,” said her nephew, Kent Thornton. “She was just an amazing, God-fearing, humble person … a beautiful family person.”
He named his daughter after his aunt. Lisa Thornton said that “being named after her … living up to the Honorable Lisa, it was amazing.”
“It was a really nice experience to have someone like that around us all the time … have nice family moments with us together,” she said.
In March, Monmouth County dedicated a new entrance to the west wing of the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold in honor of the judge, who died in 2023.
Messages to take away
Civil Presiding Judge Owen McCarthy of Monmouth County, a member of St. Denis Parish in Manasquan, explained how important the day was to remember his colleagues who have passed and also to “seek help and guidance … moving forward to the upcoming court year.”
He said his faith leads him to try to do what is right and serve his community.
“We have a role in helping others, particularly in challenging times,” he said.
Superior Court Judge Natalie Watson, member of St. Anselm in Tinton Falls and former parishioner of St. Michael’s, found the Mass particularly meaningful as she is a new judge. The service helped her “to reflect on how best I can serve the community and legal field.”
Holding the St. Thomas prayer card following Mass, she said she can serve by “remembering ‘charity, diligence, duties, council, adversity, patience and pain’ … and ‘being a good servant.’”