90th Annual Votive Red Mass of the Holy Spirit & Reception set for Oct. 2

The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago invites all lawyers, judges, and law professionals to the 90th Annual Votive Red Mass of the Holy Spirit, traditionally known as the Red Mass. The Red Mass has been celebrated annually in churches throughout the world since the twelfth century. It brings together members of the community from all faith traditions to pray for all those responsible for the administration of justice.

Note the use of the word "invites" in the preceding paragraph.

Mass is celebrated every Wednesday evening at 5:15 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, on State Street, just north of Superior. So the CLG is not 'hosting' or 'holding' that event. It just so happens that, on Wednesday, October 2, the evening Mass will be offered in a special way for the Chicago legal community, and the many members of the Chicago legal community, including a great many judges, whether members of the CLG or not, whether Catholic or not, will participate. Thus, the CLG "invites" their fellow laborers in legal vineyard.

I have it on good authority, in fact, that some Baptist judges have attended the Red Mass in past years, though perhaps not all of them have admitted this to their families....

As in the past, the Red Mass will begin with a procession of judges. Judges wishing to participate in the procession should arrive, with robes, at Holy Name at 5:00 p.m.

After the Mass, the CLG will host a reception at Loyola Law School's Corboy Law Center. The reception will honor the CLG's 2024 Red Mass Award winners. This year, the CLG will honor former Cook County Public Defender, Amy P. Campanelli, as its Catholic Lawyer of the Year. Campanelli currently serves as Director of the Muskegon County (Michigan) Public Defender Office.

The CLG will also honor Mary Meg McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center, with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The CLG will also confer Special Service Awards on Johannes Favi, the Deputy Director of the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants, and on Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy, the President and Vice President, respectively, of Catherine’s Caring Cause.

There is no charge to attend the Red Mass, but registration is encouraged.

Tickets for the CLG Reception are $75 each, and registrants will be offered a number of donation options even before we get to sponsorships.

But, yes, sponsorships are available: Supporter - $500, Advocate - $1,000, or Sponsor - $2,500. Questions about the event, or about sponsorships in particular, should be directed to admin@clgchicago.org.