Diocese celebrates annual Red Mass

RALEIGH – The Diocese of Raleigh held its annual Red Mass Friday, Oct. 7, at Sacred Heart Church. Bishop Luis Rafael Zarma was principal celebrant, and the homily was shared by Father John Paul Kimes, an associate professor of the Practice at The University of Notre Dame Law School and the Raymond of Peñafort Fellow in Canon Law at the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture.

Both the bishop and Father John Paul offered thanks to those present serving in legal professions, such as attorney, paralegal and judge.

Bishop Luis asked all legal professionals and public officials to stand and receive a blessing from the Holy Spirit.

The Red Mass is celebrated every year in October, and those gathered request guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice. It offers those in the legal professions the opportunity to reflect on their responsibility of justice.

Father John Paul started his homily with humor, commenting that because the legal profession is so resistant to the work of the Holy Spirit, they must have the same Mass every year “over and over again.”

The Mass was followed by a reception at Campbell Law School, which is across the street from Sacred Heart Church.

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