Annual Red Mass next Monday evening, in person or livestream

The 87th Annual Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, traditionally known as the Red Mass, will be celebrated on Monday, October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi), at 5:15 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral. The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago is inviting "lawyers, judges, and law professionals" of all faiths to participate. Persons are invited to attend in person (with masks) or via livestream.

The CLG notes that the Red Mass has been celebrated annually in churches throughout the world since the 12th Century. The Red Mass "brings together members of the community from all faith traditions to pray for all those responsible for the administration of justice," according to the CLG.

The Mass is preceded by a procession of judges, in their robes. Judges need to arrive by 5:00 p.m. in order to be included.

The CLG will also bestow four awards at this event. Judge Ramon Ocasio III will be honored with the Catholic Lawyer of the the Year for his dedication to public service. Attorneys Matthew Simon and Elizabeth Clarke will both be honored with the Guild’s Special Service Award. Simon will be cited for his dedication to Restorative Justice and the passage of SB 64. Clarke will be honored for her commitment to ensuring human rights for all children and young adults in conflict with the law through her work with the Juvenile Justice Initiative. Professor Michael Seng, co-executive director of UIC John Marshall Law School’s Fair Housing Legal Support Center & Clinic, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long career of work focused on discrimination in housing and our Chicago community.

Attendance is complimentary, but donations are requested through the CLG website. Sponsorships of $250 or $500 are also available. For questions about the Mass, or for more information, email admin@clgchicago.org.