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April 22, 2011

Bishop Will Celebrate Red Mass

~ written by The Hon. David E. Cain

The ideals of the legal profession are so important that many believe they should call for Divine strength and guidance in upholding such principles.

That is why the Thomas More Society is again inviting the legal community to celebrate Red Mass in St. Joseph's Cathedral as part of Law Day activities.

This year's event will be at 5:15pm on Wednesday, May 4, in the historic church at 212 E. Broad St.

The Most Reverend Frederick F. Campbell, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, will preside at the mass and deliver the homily.

He will be assisted by a host of priests in red robes, judges in black robes, cathedral brass and choir and other public officials.

The Columbus Police Division's bag pipers and color guard will lead the procession at the beginning of the mass and a reception with food and drink will
follow in the cathedral undercroft.

The tradition of Red Mass began in Europe nearly eight centuries ago with the red vestments worn by the ministers symbolizing God's Fire, the Holy Spirit. It has been celebrated in this country for more than 80 years.

In Columbus, the Red Mass was renewed in 1985 at the request of then Bishop James A. Griffin, J.D., according to Alphonse Cincione who has been president of the Thomas More Society since that year.

The group took More (lord chancellor of England 1529-1532) as its namesake because More believed that no man -- including King Henry VIII -- was above the law. More was beheaded for refusing to recommend a marriage annulment for the king. His famous last words were: "The King's Good Servant --- But God's First."