71st Annual Red Mass is Observed - Press Release

<div>
                         <div class="content">
                             <div class="bcrumb">
                                 <ol class="row breadcrumb offprint">
                                     <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
                                             <li><a href="PressRoom/2023">Press Room</a></li>

<li class="active">
71st Annual Red Mass is Observed 
                                             </li>

</ol>

</div>
                         </div>

<div id="mainbodycontent" class="col col-md-12 mainbodycontent" style="margin-top:-10px;">                    
<p style="text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;background-color:#428bca;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#428bca" height="21" valign="middle" width="100%"><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2023 Press Releases</span></strong> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="16%" style="width:1112px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><table style="width:100%;text-align:center;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="82" style="text-align:left;width:71px;">CONTACT:&nbsp;</td><td width="253" style="text-align:left;width:1039px;">Trina S. Vincent<br />504-310-2590 </td></tr></tbody></table><div align="left" style="text-align:center;"><table style="width:100%;border-spacing:3px;background-color:#f7ebc6;"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="38%" style="text-align:left;"><span style="color:#212073;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>October 2, 2023</strong></span> </td><td width="62%"><p align="right"><span style="color:#212073;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></span> </p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong></strong>&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>71ST ANNUAL RED MASS IS OBSERVED </strong> </p><p><strong>New Orleans, LA </strong>&ndash; Louisiana judges gathered this morning at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square for the 71st annual Red Mass, which marks the opening of the judicial year. Traditionally, Red Mass is held the first Monday in October. Members of the bench and bar, as well as officials of all faiths and the public, were invited to attend.</p><p>&ldquo;The Louisiana Supreme Court Justices and I attend Red Mass for the divine blessing of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and discernment in decision-making relative to the administration of laws and justice for those we serve,&rdquo; said Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer. &ldquo;It is no coincidence that during this time, Louisiana judges are in New Orleans attending the Louisiana Judicial College-sponsored Fall Conference for continuing legal education sessions and conference business meetings. While attending sessions they can participate in this centuries-old traditional ceremony.&rdquo;</p><p>The Red Mass is sponsored by the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association and goes back many centuries in Rome, Paris, and London. The name makes reference to the red vestments worn by the celebrants. In Louisiana, Red Mass was first offered in St. Louis Cathedral on October 5, 1953. The Red Mass has also been celebrated annually in communities throughout Louisiana and in various venues such as California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Georgia, and the District of Columbia.</p><p><em><strong>Louisiana Supreme Court Mission:</strong> To preserve the integrity of the judiciary, to build and maintain public trust, to provide effective and efficient administration of justice in the Supreme Court, to ensure proper administration and performance of all courts under Supreme Court authority, and to ensure the highest professional conduct, integrity, and competence of the bench and bar.</em></p><p><strong>For more information visit <a href="/">lasc.org</a> or contact Louisiana Supreme Court Public Information Specialist/Coordinator Trina S. Vincent at <a href="mailto:tvincent@lasc.org">tvincent@lasc.org</a> or (504) 310-2590.</strong> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>-30-</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><link rel="stylesheet" href="/press_room/press_releases/2023/images/2023-08_picgrid.css" /><div class="picgrid"><div><p><img src="/press_room%2Fpress_releases%2F2023%2Fimages%2F2023-23_71st_Red_Mass_Archbishop_Aymond_LASC_CJ_Weimer.jpg" alt="The Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, pauses to greet Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer at the 71st annual Red Mass." width="300" /><br /><span class="caption">The Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, pauses to greet Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer at the 71st annual Red Mass.</span> </p></div><div><p><img src="/press_room%2Fpress_releases%2F2023%2Fimages%2F2023-23_LASC_Justices_at_71st_Red_Mass.jpg" alt="Louisiana Supreme Court Justices attend the 71st annual Red Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral (l-r) Chief Justice John L. Weimer, Justice Jay B. McCallum, Justice Piper D. Griffin, Justice James T. Genovese, Ret. Justice Jeanette T. Knoll, Justice Scott J. Crichton, Justice William J. Crain" width="300" /><br /><span class="caption">Louisiana Supreme Court Justices attend the 71st annual Red Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral (l-r) Chief Justice John L. Weimer, Justice Jay B. McCallum, Justice Piper D. Griffin, Justice James T. Genovese, Ret. Justice Jeanette T. Knoll, Justice Scott J. Crichton, Justice William J. Crain</span> </p></div><div><p><img src="/press_room%2Fpress_releases%2F2023%2Fimages%2F2023-23_71st_Red_Mass_at_the_St_Louis_Cathedral.jpg" alt="Louisiana Supreme Court Justices and Judges from across Louisiana were joined by local and state public officials at the 71st annual Red Mass at St. Louis Cathedral." width="300" /><br /><span class="caption">Louisiana Supreme Court Justices and Judges from across Louisiana were joined by local and state public officials at the 71st annual Red Mass at St. Louis Cathedral.</span> </p></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p>
                </div>

</div>