by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
LEAWOOD — Kansas City Chiefs fans aren’t the only ones who will be celebrating a “Red Friday” this fall.
Members of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Kansas City will host their annual Red Mass at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., in Leawood.
The name comes possibly from the color of the vestments worn by the celebrant, or the red robes worn by judges in medieval Europe. Red is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who is asked to bless those in law and government in the administration of justice and good governance.
The Mass is co-sponsored by the guild and the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph alternate hosting the annual Mass.
The Mass is being celebrated for members of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Kansas City, which draws members from throughout the Greater Kansas City area. The Mass is open to judges, lawyers, law school deans and professors, students and current political office holders.
The main celebrant will be Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, and the concelebrants will be Bishop James Vann Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Father Joseph Arsenault, SSA. Father Arsenault will be the homilist.
The Red Mass can be dated back at least as far as Paris in 1245 AD. The Red Mass marked the beginning of the court term.
In addition to the Mass, the guild will bestow its annual St. Thomas More Award, given in honor of the guild member who best exemplifies the character of St. Thomas More, former chancellor of England who was executed in 1535 by King Henry VIII for refusing to deny the Catholic faith.
There will be a reception after the Mass with beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Attendees are asked to RSVP by going to: cfnek.org/events/red-mass.
