Judges, barristers, solicitors, professors, legislators, government officials, and their families gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta, located in the heart of Greater Sydney’s second-largest legal precinct, to mark the opening of the judicial year.
With around 1,000 legal services in Parramatta, including prosecutor’s offices, law firms and barrister chambers, Coroners Court, Local and District Court of NSW, Drug Court of NSW Children’s Court of NSW, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; the Mass on Monday 3 February 2025 brought together legal and judicial professionals, as well as government representatives and law students.
Celebrating the Mass, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv said, “We pray that the administration of justice that you have been entrusted with may serve the common good and bring about a more just and compassionate society.”
Bishop Vincent reminded the gathered faithful of their unique responsibility in the justice system and courts, and invited them to recommit themselves to God’s vision of justice.
“May the Lord prosper the work of your hands, words and minds,” he said.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv celebrated the Red Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Red Mass tradition
The annual Red Mass traces its origins to the Cathedral of Paris in 1245 for a Mass in honour of the original patron saint of attorneys, St Ives.
The Red Mass 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 at St Mary’s Cathedral since 1931 and in Parramatta at St Patrick’s Cathedral since 2019, and invokes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the ‘Divine Advocate’ — wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude — upon those in attendance.
Judges, barristers, solicitors, professors, legislators, government officials, and their families gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta to mark the opening of the judicial year. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Sponsored by the St Thomas More Society and the Law Society of NSW, the Red Mass welcomes all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation.
Founded in Sydney in 1945, the St Thomas More Society is a fellowship of lawyers inspired by the example of St Thomas More (1478-1535), as exemplified by his life of public service, and his martyrdom at Tower Hill on 6 July 1535.
Parramatta celebrated
Bishop Vincent expressed his delight at seeing more people attend this year than 2024, many donning their ceremonial regalia of wigs and colourful robes, including red vestments.
“As we pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on our work at this Red Mass, we recommit ourselves to God’s vision of justice, mercy and the fullness of life for all humanity.”
NSW Attorney General, The Hon. Michael Daley, MP; Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW His Honour Judge Michael Allen; and NSW District Court Her Honour Judge Sophia Beckett were among the worshippers to mark this year’s Red Mass in Parramatta.
The Law Society of NSW President Jennifer Ball and the State Member for Parramatta, Ms Donna Davis, MP, were readers and the offertory gifts were brought in procession by Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General of NSW, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Member for Prospect, Dr Hugh McDermott, MP, along with his family.
Offertory gifts were brought in by Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General of NSW, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Member for Prospect, Dr Hugh McDermott, MP, along with his family. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Jackie Waugh, a lawyer of 22 years, had travelled with her five children from the Diocese of Broken Bay to attend the ancient Red Mass for the first time in “solidarity with her profession.”
NSW Justices Association’s State President Kathryn Leaney JP, said it was her way of recognising and celebrating the work of those involved in the judicial process (i.e. the determination of cases).
Sitting beside Ms Leaney was Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM, a regular church-goer in the Parish of Richmond.
“From a social justice sense, there’s a real affinity between my work [as a public official] and my faith,” said Commissioner Fewtrell, who joined FRNSW in 1997 as a firefighter, spending 17 years in frontline crew, station officer and inspector roles, working in metropolitan and regional units before progressing to management roles.
He spoke of the importance of natural justice and applying the law fairly and ethically, but also of bringing to bear a level of care of compassion.
Commissioner Fewtrell. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Knight Commander of Grace, the Order of St John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitaller), Priory of NSW & the ACT, Patrick Tsang agreed.
“No one is above Him or the rule of law,” he said.
Since around 1050, the Christian, chivalric, ecumenical and international community of the Knights Hospitaller has been helping the Lord’s sick and poor. The Knight Commander of Grace also serves in the NSW Police Force and is a Justice of the Peace in and for the state of NSW.
“In the perfect judicial sense, everyone is impartial and equal, and cares for each other.”- Knight Commander of Grace, Patrick Tsang, KCSJ, JP.
Western Sydney as a legal hub
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia His Honour Judge Douglas Humphreys CSC OAM said attending the Red Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral highlighted the significance of Parramatta as a legal centre for Western Sydney.
“I’m very happy working in Parramatta because it’s become a geographical centre of Western Sydney and for this reason it’s important we have a strong vibrant judicial presence in Western Sydney,” said Judge Humphreys, a former Law Society of NSW president who was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and commenced in the Parramatta registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia on 11 March 2019.
“There’s a long and deep association between the law and the Church; it’s important in doing our work that we reach out and embrace all the faiths. The Red Mass forms a part of being with and part of the community because as judges we must represent the community.”
“As a Member of Parliament for Parramatta it’s wonderful to be able to partake in the same tradition as the legal fraternity in Sydney CBD, as well as to hear the wonderful musicianship of the choir and the organist,” said Donna Davis MP.
Representatives of the St Thomas More Society on the night included Shadow Assistant Attorney General, Shadow Assistant Special Minister of State, and Shadow Assistant Minister for Corrections, The Hon. Susan Carter MLC, who is also a parishioner at St Bernadette’s Dundas Valley.
“Both working as a solicitor, and being elected to parliament, are about serving the community – but in different capacities,” Ms Carter said.
“Coming together with other believing members of the profession provides mutual encouragement to continue on a path of service, and helps encourage reflection about how we can best serve others and God.”
Ms Carter said it was important that the Red Mass is celebrated by the legal profession.
“This is an important time where we can reflect together about the meaning of justice, and how we are being called to use our God-given gifts for His service and the service of others.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we wish you well in the judicial year ahead.
View the photo gallery of the 2025 Red Mass on our Flickr page or below.
