Students in Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth grade as well as the Seventh and Eighth grade Student Government officers from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School joined the state of Alabama’s Unified Judicial System officials in celebrating the 35th Annual Red Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in downtown Montgomery on October 6. The Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, Archbishop of Birmingham, celebrated the Mass.
The tradition of the Red Mass goes back many centuries in Rome, Paris, and London. It is the Solemn Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated generally near the beginning of the Judicial Year and attended by judges, lawyers, and court officials of all faiths for the purpose of invoking God’s blessing and guidance in the administration of justice.
Above, Middle School students spoke with Alabama Supreme Court Justice and 1970 Montgomery Catholic graduate Patty Mungenast Smith, center, at the reception for the Red Mass.