News Article

The Gonzaga University School of Law will celebrate the annual Red Mass in honor of those in the legal profession at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22 in St. Aloysius Church. A reception will follow from 6:30-8 p.m. at Gonzaga’s Cataldo Hall nearby.

All members of the legal profession and their families are invited to attend and are asked to RSVP by Sept. 17 to Liz Bowen at the GU Law School Alumni Office at (509) 313-3738 or via e-mail.

In his final year as Gonzaga’s president, Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. will preside over the Mass and Va Lena Curran, Gonzaga Law School alumna (’58), will serve as cantor. The 2008 Distinguished Judicial Award will be presented to the Hon. Richard B. White, a Spokane County District Court judge, at the conclusion of the liturgy. The 2008-’09 Washington Judges Foundation Lawless Memorial Scholarship will be awarded at the reception. 

The Red Mass dates back to 1310 in the reign of Edward of England. The Mass was held to mark the beginning of Michaelmas or fall term of the King’s Bench. It was an occasion of great pageantry and solemnity as judges, barristers, and members of Parliament gathered to invoke God’s blessing and guidance on themselves and their profession. The Gonzaga University School of Law Red Mass is an occasion of prayerful petition and thanksgiving for all members of the legal profession, regardless of religious affiliation. 

For more information contact Liz Bowen at 313-3738.