For most of us, returning to work after the Christmas holidays involves little more than reconnecting with colleagues, trying to remember your computer password and picking up where you left off the year before. But not for the legal profession.
They mark the beginning of the judicial year with a Red Mass, an ancient tradition that dates back to the 13th century when Pope Innocent IV introduced it for the Ecclesial Judicial Court.
It gets its name from the red vestments traditionally worn to symbolise the Holy Spirit, as well as for the colour of the robes worn by royal judges centuries ago. Today, judges and lawyers still attend the Mass in their robes and wigs.
The 2024 Red Mass in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
From its beginnings in Paris in 1245, the Red Mass spread to most European countries, then to the US, Canada, Australia and the Philippines.
In Australia, it’s been a tradition every year since 1931, when it was first held at St Mary’s Cathedral, in Sydney.
In Parramatta, a Red Mass has been held at St Patrick’s Cathedral since 2019 – the only suburban or regional centre in the country to do so. This year it will be held on 3 February at St Patrick’s and celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, the Bishop of Parramatta, along with Dean of the Cathedral Fr Robert Riedling.
It’s traditional for lawyers and judges to wear their wigs and gowns at the Mass. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
President of the Parramatta & District Regional Law Society Rebecca Hegarty said the Red Mass was a chance for the entire legal community, regardless of religious affiliation – judges, lawyers, law school professors, law students – to gather to recognise the fundamental principles of justice and equality that underpin the judicial system.
She said it was a time to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, while offering an opportunity for individuals to reflect on the power and responsibility of their profession.
“It is a reminder that we are here to serve the community and to strive for access to justice and truth,” Ms Hegarty said.
The Mass gets its name from the Red vestments worn by clergy during the service. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“The service recognises the efforts of our predecessors who have guided us to where we are now, encourages us to honour and pursue the principles of justice and equality, and invigorates the future legal community to support society into the unknown.
“The law is a challenging vocation and the Red Mass provides an opportunity for us to pause and reflect on why we entered the profession and what we should constantly work to achieve.”
Among those attending the Red Mass in Parramatta this year is lawyer and NSW politician Susan Carter.
The Liberal Member of the state’s Upper House, and the Shadow Assistant Attorney General, said it was a “wonderful opportunity…to take time out to think about the nature of the legal profession, and to remember that it has service to others at its core.
The Mass has been held at St Patrick’s Cathedral since 2019. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“As a Catholic, this is consistent with the challenge of living my faith in the world, to be a person for others, and it is wonderful to join with other members of the profession, all of whom are seeking to live out their faith commitment in the context of their professional lives,” she said.
“The legal system and our civil society is strengthened when, together, we focus on the importance of justice and of service – and the Red Mass provides us with a wonderful opportunity to do both.”
Another parliamentarian attending the Mass is Labor member for the NSW seat of Prospect Hugh McDermott.
Members of the legal profession, law students, legal academics, public servants, and members of the public are among those who attend the Red Mass every year. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
He said the event was important because it “emphasises the significance of law and justice to our fair and democratic Australian society.
“As a barrister and parliamentarian, the Red Mass not only marks the commencement of the legal year, but it is also a call to act according to Christ’s teachings,” said Dr McDermott, who is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General in the NSW Labor Government.
“It is a wonderful reaffirmation of our commitment as law makers, to carry out our vocation equally and justly.”
This year’s Red Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral will begin at 7pm on 3 February. For more information or to confirm your attendance, contact enquiry@stpatscathedral.com.au, or 8839 8400.
