PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence will celebrate the annual Red Mass on Wednesday, October 5, at 5 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The Red Mass, a yearly tradition observed to invoke the Holy Spirit upon members of the legal profession, offers judges, lawyers, government officials and members of law enforcement an opportunity to join together in prayer and ask the Lord’s guidance as they work for justice and defend the country’s laws. Family members and the public are also welcome to attend and offer their prayers and support for those in the legal profession.
The tradition of gathering as a legal community began in the Middle Ages, when members of the court received blessings from local clergy at the start of each judicial term. Today’s lawyers and judges continue the tradition of invoking the Holy Spirit at the start of the judicial year, gathering annually at the cathedral to pray for support and guidance in the task of creating, interpreting and enforcing the country’s laws. Celebrating clergy wear red to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit and as a reminder of the red robes worn by medieval judges.
Auxiliary Bishop Robert C. Evans will serve as main celebrant. The event is co-sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society, an organization of Catholic law professionals named for the patron saint of lawyers and politicians.
In keeping with the tradition of the Red Mass, the diocese has invited a priest with a background in the legal profession to join the celebration as guest homilist. Father Richard F. Reidy, J.C.L., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Worcester, will celebrate alongside Bishop Evans.
Father Reidy graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1980 and obtained his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1983. He worked for several years as a member of a law firm before entering St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and studying at Gregorian University and Angelicum University in Rome. He was ordained on June 25, 1994.
Following his ordination, Father Reidy studied canon law at Catholic University of America, obtaining his Licentiate in Canon Law in 2010. In addition to serving as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, he also serves as Defender of the Bond for the diocesan tribunal.
