Invoking the Holy Spirit, Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated a Red Mass Oct. 21, 2026, at St. Martha Parish, Sarasota, for those working in the legal profession encouraging them to administer justice with responsibility, integrity, courage, and a sincere commitment to the common good.
“As we celebrate this Red Mass, we also renew our commitment to everything we learned, not only in law school, but everything we learned about our faith from our family – wisdom, justice, and prudence,” Bishop Emilio said. “These are great virtues which serve truth and protect human dignity and to reflect, as much we can, the justice of God.”
This was the 18th annual Red Mass in the Diocese of Venice, continuing the tradition started by Bishop Frank J. Dewane in 2008 when legal professionals in Sarasota wanted to emulate similar, more well-known Masses which take place each year for the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., and by the Florida bishops for the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee.
“The practice of law is not simply a profession of technical expertise, it is a vocation of service,” Bishop Emilio said. “Every decision, argument and judgment can affect human lives, families and communities. Authority entrusted to those who serve in the legal system is therefore not merely a privilege but is also a responsibility before God.”
Bishop Emilio concluded by saying: “We pray the Holy Spirit will guide us in our decisions. We pray that St. Thomas More will inspire us to remain faithful to our conscience. We pray that St. Augustine reminds us that justice is indispensable for the common good and that we remember the highest measure of service is not merely what the law permits but how faithfully we uphold truth, defend human dignity and pursue justice.”
The name for the Mass comes from the red vestments worn by the celebrants, and for the calling of grace and guidance from the Holy Spirit to come upon all who seek and serve justice as well as martyrdom of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers. The current Mass is sponsored by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Venice and included prayer intentions for all legal professionals – judges, lawyers, lawmakers, their families, and staff, and for those who passed away in the previous year, including Bishop Dewane. A second red Mass was celebrated Oct. 20 at St. Catherine Parish, Sebring.
A centuries old tradition of the Catholic Church, the first Red Mass was celebrated by Pope Innocent IV in the Cathedral of Paris in 1243 for the Ecclesiastical Judicial Court asking for the “Invocation of the Holy Spirit” as a source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, and strength for the coming term of the court. This tradition was adopted in England during the reign of Edward II. The entire bench and bar attended the Red Mass together at the opening of each term of court and it became tradition that the priests wear red vestments.
For more information about becoming a member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Diocese of Venice, contact Jeanne Bennett, Esq., at 941-316-9200.
