Legal professionals from across Western Sydney recommitted themselves to God’s vision of justice during the eighth annual Red Mass in Parramatta, marking the opening of the 2026 law term.
Held at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday, February 3, the Mass carries particular significance within the broader Australian legal and ecclesial landscape.
“We are the only non-capital city based diocese to host this Mass,” Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv explained during the Mass, adding that he felt “very proud and privileged” to uphold the tradition.
This year’s Red Mass in Parramatta welcomed several new faces formally invited to participate for the first time, including representatives from the Order of Malta Australia. President John Murphy said he felt both humbled and privileged by the Order’s inclusion in the annual celebration marking the opening of the judicial year. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
A Growing Expression of Faith in the Legal Community
This year’s Parramatta celebration welcomed several new faces, including representatives of Order of Malta Australia, whose membership includes many serving in judicial and law-aligned professions.
Present in over 120 countries and with a history spanning nearly a millennium, the Order’s mission is to alleviate the suffering of the poor and sick without judgment or distinction of religion, race or political persuasion.
The Order’s Australian president, John Murphy, who travelled from Melbourne to attend the Mass, said Parramatta holds particular significance for the organisation.
“We want to grow our services here.”
Bishop Vincent Long (second from left) is pictured with the Order of Malta Australia’s Vice-President Daniel Kwok, President John Murphy and Project Coordinator – Parramatta Region and Treasurer, Neville Zammit. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
He pointed to the Order’s Community Care Van in Parramatta, which typically begins at St Patrick’s Cathedral, moving through Alfred Park to Parramatta Train Station. Along the way, volunteers distribute winter coats, hygiene packs, food, and water to people experiencing homelessness.
Vice-president Daniel Kwok said, “Ultimately, we glorify God by seeking holiness in our lives and expressing that through service to those in need.”
Also newly represented at the Red Mass in Parramatta was the NSW Court Chaplains Association, whose volunteers — among them parishioner of more than 30 years, Diane Smith — demonstrate the love of Jesus through practical, emotional and spiritual support in court settings throughout the state.
Their presence alongside solicitors, barristers, administrators and law students reflected the depth and diversity of those working to uphold justice in Parramatta, Sydney’s second-largest legal precinct.
Ian Gilbertson, a longtime Parramatta parishioner and vice president of the Cumberland Branch of the NSW Justices Association which includes the Hills area, said the branch witnesses and certifies approximately 100,000 documents each year, with more Justices of the Peace (JPs) always welcome to join. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
An Historic Mass with Contemporary Relevance
The Mass itself carries centuries of tradition, tracing its origins to 1245, when a Mass was offered at the Cathedral of Paris in honour of St Ives, patron saint of attorneys. It takes its name from the red vestments traditionally worn by the sacred ministers in symbolism of the tongues of fire (the Holy Spirit) that descended on Jesus’ disciples during Pentecost, and the bright scarlet robes worn by the attending judges.
The Red Mass has been held annually in Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral since 1931 and in Parramatta since 2019, and invokes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the “Divine Advocate” — wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude — upon those in attendance.
Among the concelebrating priests was Fr Robert Riedling EV, Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Episcopal Vicar for Education.
“We have a responsibility to God, as well as a responsibility to our community, and even though we may have God’s forgiveness, we still have to pay our dues to society,” said local Justice of the Peace (JP), Ian Gilbertson. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Why the ancient Red Mass still has meaning
In his homily, Fr Robert addressed what many attendees later echoed: how little most people truly understand the inner workings of the legal profession or, indeed, the Church.
Drawing a parallel between the two, he questioned how such institutions might “demystify” themselves so they are seen not as self-serving entities, but as genuine forces for public good: “I believe the answer lies in the very nature of the Mass we are celebrating this evening, that is, a Mass of the Holy Spirit.”
Referencing the fruits of the Spirit and the Parable of the Sower, he encouraged legal professionals to become “rich soil,” allowing even the ordinary tasks of their daily work to bear fruit for God’s kingdom.
“The Holy Spirit is the inspiration and driver for all that we do which accords with God’s will, and God’s will is for a world blazingly lit with justice, peace, compassion and harmony — all hallmarks of a perfect love.”
Judge David Dunkley said having the Red Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral highlighted the significance of Parramatta as a legal centre for Western Sydney. The city, where he is based, is Sydney’s second-largest legal precinct, home to an estimated 1,000 legal services, including coroner’s courts, prosecutor’s offices, Commonwealth law courts such as the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and a specialist Drug Court. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Among those who affirmed this connection was Justice David Dunkley of the Parramatta Registry of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
“I do see the correlation between justice and godliness,” he said. “It’s part of our Christian tradition that God wants us to act justly and with compassion.”
Faith and Fellowship Beyond the Courtroom
Other familiar faces at the historic Roman Catholic votive Mass of the Holy Spirit included NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley, and Judges Douglas Humphreys CSC OAM and Rania Skaros, who attended with their associates, Basuna McCredie and Paul Barrett.
St Thomas More Society Sydney Council Member Gerard Dias (second from left with McInnes Wilson Lawyers Sydney colleagues Alexander Reid, Bianca Wallace and Jack Craig) described the Red Mass in Parramatta as an “important recognition of the contribution Catholic lawyers make to the profession” and a tangible reminder of the significant faith presence within the legal profession that’s not always acknowledged. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
The Law Society of New South Wales’ president Ronan MacSweeney and the Shadow Minister for Attorney General, Shadow Assistant Special Minister of State and Shadow Assistant Minister for Corrections, Susan Carter MLC, were readers and the offertory gifts were brought in procession by Prospect MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General of NSW, Dr Hugh McDermott, and Order of Malta Australia members.
Sponsored in Parramatta by the St Thomas More Society and the Law Society of New South Wales, the Red Mass welcomes all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation.
After 30 years working in law enforcement, NSW Court Chaplains Association volunteer Diane Smith (pictured left with Sharyn Widdowson) said “I’ve found my calling,” adding that the Christian ministry offers “a light in the darkness for people going through the courts.” Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
After the liturgy, members of the legal community gathered for food and fellowship, exchanging reflections and stories from the year past, a reminder that the Red Mass is as much about community as it is ceremony.
“I wish all of you a fruitful year ahead as you undertake your various roles in the field of justice,” Fr Robert said. “The burdens placed upon many of you in the administration of justice must at times seem too great to bear. I pray that you will find the strength needed at such times to persevere.”
View the photo gallery below or on Flickr.
