On Tuesday morning, Bishop John Stowe celebrated the Traditional Red Mass alongside Fr. Peter Joseph, Fr. Anthony McLaughlin, Fr. John List, and Dcn. John Hinkel among attending professionals in the legal sector at St. Peter Catholic Church in Lexington.
The Annual Red Mass is a longstanding Catholic tradition that dates back to the 13th century, originally celebrated to mark the opening of the judicial year. Named for the red vestments worn by clergy—symbolizing the Holy Spirit and the call to justice even in the face of sacrifice—the Mass is offered for judges, lawyers, lawmakers, and public officials. Its purpose is to invoke God’s guidance and wisdom upon those entrusted with the responsibility of crafting and upholding the law. Today, the Red Mass continues to serve as a reminder that the pursuit of justice is not only a civic duty but also a moral and spiritual calling, rooted in the Gospel’s call to uphold human dignity and the common good.
During his homily, Bishop John invited those serving in the legal and public spheres to deeply reflect on their vocation as instruments of justice under God. Drawing from Scripture and Church teaching, the message emphasized that laws and judgments must serve human dignity and the common good—not power or privilege. The homily warned against corruption, bias, and the tendency to lose compassion when confronted with complexity. Instead, it called for humility, wisdom, and integrity rooted in Gospel values, reminding public servants that they act not only in civil authority but with moral responsibility and accountability before God. In doing so, the homily challenged all present to let faith guide their sense of justice, to remember the vulnerable, and to renew their commitment to serve with conscience and charity. You can read more about the Bishop’s homily by clicking here.
The mass was followed by a reception at the Fayette County Courthouse where all were invited to attend a two-hour CLE ethics program, “The Ethics of Impairment and Well-Being: Hope-Inspired Justice,.” to focus on stress management and mental health for lawyers. God bless all our brothers and sisters in Christ continuing to serve the just in our community.
