News Article

The Gonzaga University School of Law will host the annual Red Mass for the Legal Profession at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18, in St. Aloysius Catholic Church on the Gonzaga campus. A reception will follow the Mass from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Gonzaga’s Cataldo Hall. All members of the legal profession, their families and the public are invited to attend and are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Gonzaga President Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., will preside over the Mass and a reflection will be given by the Hon. Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the Law School will give Hon. Neal Q. Rielly the 2007 Distinguished Judicial Award. Music will be provided by the GU Choir, directed by Daniel Koh, along with Va Lena Curran, a 1958 GU School of Law alumna, who will serve as cantor.

The Red Mass dates back to 1310 during the reign of Edward of England and marks the beginning of fall term of the King’s Bench. Traditionally, the Mass marked the beginning of Michealmas, or fall term of the King’s Bench. Today, Red Mass is celebrated around the world as an occasion of prayerful petition and thanksgiving for all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation.

For more information or to RSVP, contact the Law School alumni office at (509) 323-3759 or via e-mail.