More than 200 members of the legal profession in Melbourne gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday 28 January for the annual Red Mass, a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit invoking God’s guidance and blessing at the commencement of the legal year.
In a time of increasing complexity in legal and ethical matters, this centuries-old tradition, which dates back to medieval Europe, continues to serve as a solemn annual reminder that the pursuit of justice must be grounded in deeper principles of truth, mercy and service to others.
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli was the principal celebrant, joined by Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR—his first appearance at the Cathedral since being elevated last year to the College of Cardinals—and priests of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
Among those in attendance were judges, barristers, solicitors, law students and other members of the legal and law-enforcement communities—including Justice Simon Steward of the High Court of Australia, who led the procession—as well as several federal and state politicians.
Allan Myers AC KC read the first scripture reading, and during the prayers of intercession, Margaret Andrews, widow of the late Kevin Andrews AC, prayed for the ‘fair and proper administration of the laws, so that in Australia, people from all walks of life, nationalities and religious beliefs may be protected from injustice and discrimination, and receive fair and decent representation, compassion, care and understanding’.
Archbishop Comensoli reflected in his homily on the sacred responsibility of those who uphold and interpret the law, drawing on ancient Jewish and Christian understandings of the Holy Spirit as ‘the Breath of God’. He reminded those gathered that Jesus ‘did not write out his Good News to the poor, captive, blind and downtrodden; he spoke it out, breathed it out, proclaimed that Word at the impulse of the Holy Breath. The Holy Breath of God is not inwardly oriented, but is an outpouring to be heard and felt,’ he said.
Noting that the Mass coincided this year with the feast of St Thomas Aquinas, Archbishop Comensoli recalled St Thomas’ insight that ‘the Holy Spirit is not just a power who works through us; the Spirit comes to dwell in us. Through the inbreathing of the Holy Spirit, we receive all the gifts we need for every good work.’
The Archbishop observed that the experience of justice and mercy ‘is exercised by way of an outpouring, and an indwelling’, suggesting that ‘the law will be creative, life-giving, when it is exercised in a manner that comes alongside the Holy Breath of God, who is the Lord, the giver of life.’
The Red Mass has long been a fixture in Catholic communities worldwide, named for the red vestments worn by the celebrants to symbolise the presence of the Holy Spirit. In Melbourne, it marks a significant occasion for Catholic members of the legal profession to reflect on their vocation and to recommit to being stewards of justice.
Other Christian denominations and religious traditions hold similar services to mark the beginning of the legal year, and this year’s Red Mass coincided with a prayer service at the nearby East Melbourne Synagogue, highlighting the shared commitment of different faith traditions to the ideals of justice and righteousness. Following the liturgies, members of the Catholic legal community were joined by their Jewish colleagues for morning tea at Cathedral Hall.
Banner image: (from left) Justice Michael Wheelahan of the Federal Court of Australia, Justice Simon Steward of the High Court of Australia, Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Chief Justice Richard Niall and Justice Kevin Lyons of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and Fr Cameron Forbes, Rector of Corpus Christi College and Chaplain to the Melbourne Catholic Lawyers’ Association.
