Q: Not long ago, I saw a newspaper article about a “Red” Mass in
some city. Later I heard about people attending a “Blue” Mass.
What are these? A: A “Red” Mass is a Votive Mass of the Holy
Spirit, celebrated for judges, lawyers and other members of the
legal profession, to ask God’s blessing upon their work. In
Washington, D.C., this Mass is celebrated on the Sunday before
the U.S. Supreme Court begins its term on the first Monday of
This liturgical custom has more recently led to annual Masses
for at least two other occupational groups: “Blue” Masses for
police officers and others engaged in public safety, as well as
“White” or “Rose” Masses for doctors, nurses and other health-
care professionals. According to the St. Thomas More Society,
the first Red Mass was celebrated in 1245 at La Sainte Chapelle
in Paris. This custom spread to England in 1310. In some places,
judges once wore or still wear red robes. The Mass celebrant
wears red in honor of the Holy The first Red Mass in the United
States was celebrate