History of The Red Mass

The "Red Mass" is a  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 celebrants--government officials, lawyers and judges--would proceed into a church clothed in red vestments or red garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice in their daily lives.

This  important historic tradition was introduced into the United States in 1928 in the Church of St. Andrew, located in New York City.  The Mass was presided over by His Eminence Patrick Cardinal Haves, who strongly encouraged and supported the involvement of the legal community in spreading the Word of God.

The Red Mass is currently celebrated in dioceses throughout the United States, including many of the dioceses of Florida, to invoke God's blessing upon the members of the Bench, Bar, Legislature, Law Enforcement and Governmental agencies, all protectors and administrators of the Law.

The St. Thomas More Society of South Florida was officially founded on December 14, 1989.  A Red Mass was first celebrated in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County by His Excellency, Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy on February 10, 1990 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Since that time it has been celebrated yearly, and  it, as well as the reception that follows, is now one of the premier and  largest-attended annual events for lawyers and judiciary in South Florida. At the reception each year, a distinguished speaker addresses an audience of as many as 580 attendees and The Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy Award is presented to a member of the legal community who typifies the moral principles espoused by St. Thomas More.

21st ANNUAL RED MASS: TBA             Marriott Harbor Beach Resort                                                                     St. Anthony Church

     Photos From Recent Red Mass Receptions and Dinners :  PHOTOS                                                                           

• 1990- Rev. Robert J. Drinan, S. J., former United States Congressman

• 1991- Cardinal Adam Maida, Archdiocese of Detroit

• 1992- Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, O.P., President, Barry University

• 1993- Daniel Morrissey, Dean, St. Thomas University Law School

• 1994- Charles E. Rice, Professor, University of Notre Dame Law School

• 1995- Hon. C. Clyde Atkins, United States District Court Judge

• 1996- Harry Lee Anstead, Fourth District Court of Appeal

• 1997- Hon. W. Herbert Moriarty, Broward County Circuit Judge

• 1998- Hon. Kathleen A. Kearney, Broward County Circuit Judge

• 1999- United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

• 2000- Hon. Peter T. Fay, United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

• 2001- United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

• 2002- Rev. Edward A. Malloy, President, The University of Notre Dame

• 2003- Justice Harry Lee Anstead, Florida Supreme Court

• 2004- Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., internationally-known theologian

• 2005- Justice Charles Wells, Florida Supreme Court

• 2006- Justice Raoul J. Cantero, III, Florida Supreme Court

• 2007- Hon. Charlie Crist, Florida Governor

• 2008- Hon. Gerald Bard Tjoflat, United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

• 2009 -Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, D.C.

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The Saint Thomas More Society of South Florida extends its gratitude to the following sponsors whose past and continuing generous financial  support has helped make this outstanding annual event possible.

	Adorno & Yoss
	Anderson, Mayfield, Hagan & Thron, P.A.
	Bailey & Bailey, P.A..
	Bogenschutz, Dutko & Kroll, P.A.
	Brinkley, Morgan, Solomon, Tatum, Stanley, Lunny & Crosby, L.L.P.
	Broad & Cassel
	Robert M. Bulfin, P.A.
	Heather Butler Bush, Esq.
	Camp & Camp, P.A.
	Catri. Holton, Kessler & Kessler, P.A.
	Conrad & Scherer
	Cooney, Matson, Lance, Blackburn, Richards and O'Connor, P.A.
	Cynthia Curry & Patrick Curry, Esq.
	David W. Crane, P.A.
	Finizia & Fenizio, P.A..
	Ferencik, Libanoff, Brandt, Bustamante & Williams, P.A..
	Green, Murphy & Murphy, P.A.
	Greenberg Traurig LLC
	Hinshaw & Culbertson
	Paula C. Kessler, Esq. & Kenneth D. Cooper, Esq.
	Krupnick,Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Liberman & McKee, P.A.
	Kubicki Draper, P.A.
	The Kelly Law Firm
	Caryn Maister & Frank A. Maister, Esq.
	Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, P.C.
	Massey Coican & Schuster, L.L.C..
	McGee & Huskey, P.A.
	Ralph L. McGrath, Jr., P.A.
	McIntosh, Sawran, Peltz, Cartaya & Petruccelli, P.A.
	Moskowitz,Mandell, Salim & Simowitz, P.A..
	Panza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A.
	Patterson & Harmon, P.A.
	Peterson Bernard
	Richardson & Tynan PLC
	Roselli & Associates
	Ruden McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell, P.A.
	Gary J. Rotella & Associates, P.A..
	Ryan & Ryan, L.L.C.
	Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Weihe, P.A.
	John P. "Jack" Seiler, Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
	Michael J. Styles, P.A.
	Frank C. Walker, Esq.
	Voluck & Merlino, L.P.
	Wich, Wich & Wich, P.A.

  Corporate Sponsors:

	Auto Nation, Inc.
	Blue Marlin Title Corp.
	City Furniture/Keith Koenig
	Copy Scan, Inc.
	Legal Video, Inc.
	Thomas F. Jordan, C.P.A.
	Marwayne, Inc./Wayne H. Spath & Associates
	Mediation, Inc.
	Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
	Ruth Stein Cohen Foundation
	Tropical Acres Steak House, Inc.
	Tease Salon

We also thank the members of the 
St. Thomas More Society of South Florida 
for their support of the 20th annual Red Mass 2009

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