The 62nd annual Red Mass, celebrating the San Antonio legal community and inviting blessing on the judicial year, will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, at San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza.

St. Mary’s University President Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., and Dean of the School of Law Stephen M. Sheppard, J.S.D., invite members of the legal community of all faiths to join in the celebration of Red Mass, marking the beginning of the judicial and academic year.

At 5:45 p.m., there will be a solemn processional through Main Plaza to the Cathedral. The Mass will begin at 6 p.m.

The Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio, will be the principal presider and homilist.

The tradition of Red Mass dates back to 1245 in Europe when both the bench and bar attended the Mass together at the beginning of each judicial session. The name is derived from the scarlet robes worn by judges and red vestments worn by priests in honor of the Holy Spirit. Red Mass is celebrated throughout the country for the purpose of requesting God’s blessings and guidance on the administration of justice. The tradition was revived in San Antonio 62 years ago by the St. Mary’s University School of Law and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of San Antonio, who organize the annual event with representatives from San Antonio legal organizations, the judiciary and the State Legislature.

Red Mass is open to the public.

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