History of the Red Mass The “Red Mass” is an historical
tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the
Thirteenth Century when it officially opened the term of the
court for most European countries. The first recorded Red Mass
was celebrated in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245. From there, it
spread to most European countries. Around 1310, during the reign
of Edward I, the tradition began in England with the Mass
offered at Westminster Abbey at the opening of the Michaelmas
term. It received its name from the fact that the celebrant was
vested in red and the Lord High justices were robed in brilliant
scarlet. They were joined by the university professors with
doctors among them displaying red in their academic gowns. The
Red Mass also has been traditionally identified with opening of
the Sacred Roman Rota, the supreme judicial body of the Catholic
Church. In the United States, the first Red Mass occurred in New
York City on October 6, 1928. This Mass was celebrated at Old
St. Andrew’s Church with Cardi