(This article has the corrected livestream link for the Red Mass.)

Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory will be the principal celebrant of the 68th annual Red Mass on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, will be the homilist at the Mass, which is offered to invoke God’s blessing and guidance on those involved in the administration of the law. Over the years, the Mass has been attended by Supreme Court justices, local judges, members of the diplomatic corps, area attorneys  and government officials.

The Mass, sponsored by the John Carroll Society, is traditionally held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, the day on which the U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes after its summer recess. It is a tradition that dates back many centuries to Rome, Paris, and London. The name comes from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the celebrants and the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  

At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Gregory will announce the names of four attorneys and one law firm who will be honored with the John Carroll Society’s Pro Bono Legal Awards in recognition of volunteer service. The John Carroll Society is a Washington-area organization that provides spiritual, intellectual, charitable and social opportunities for Catholic professionals and business men and women in service to the archbishop of Washington.

Because of the safety measures in place due to the COVID pandemic, attendance is limited at the cathedral, and there will be no brunch following the Mass. The Pro Bono Legal Award honorees will be recognized when larger gatherings can resume.  

The Mass will be live streamed on archdiocesan social media accounts and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxhQqmg8aXE&feature=youtu.be