Legal professionals must be resolute in their work, archbishop says

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson is pictured with the St. Thomas More Society’s “Couple for All Seasons Award” honorees on Oct. 1 in the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis. Pictured are Archbishop Thompson, left; honorees Judge Brent Dickson and Jan Aikman Dickson; and Patrick Olmstead Jr., president of the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana. (Photo by Mike Krokos)

By Mike Krokos

Like Jesus, each of us is called to be “resolutely determined” and to trust in God as we live out our vocations.

That was the message shared by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson to those in attendance at the annual Red Mass on Oct. 1 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

“According to the dictionary, the word ‘resolute’ means to be ‘fixed and firm in purpose; to be determined,’ ” Archbishop Thompson said in his homily.

“We gather here in prayer for that very same sense of resolve in carrying out justice with respect to the dignity of persons and the common good of society,” he said, “to be open for what is right and good and truthful and beautiful in our midst, to those entrusted to our care, to our judgment, to all we’re about, not only in our courtrooms and in our offices, but in our homes and our neighborhoods as well.”

Judges, lawyers and law students from across central Indiana were among those who worshipped during the annual Mass of the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana, an organization of Catholic legal professionals.

The liturgy, which has been celebrated since the 13th century, is called a “Red Mass” because of the red vestments used during it, which symbolize the Holy Spirit. It is a centuries-old tradition of praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their work as a new judicial session begins.

In his homily, Archbishop Thompson said that persons working in the justice system come and go, but “the system remains because we are resolutely determined in the principles of the law, hopefully with respect for the sacredness of life and, when possible, always when possible, the application of equity—‘justice tempered with the sweetness of mercy.’ ”

Drawing from the example of Jesus, the archbishop encouraged legal professionals to be resolved in their “task of not only building a more just society, but in building up the kingdom of God by the witness of our lives in faith.

“Those for whom we pray, especially our judges, … have a unique role to play in the progress of humanity and the mission of Jesus Christ,” he said. “Allow neither the shadow nor the weight of the cross, as you carry out the challenges of your workload and cases, to keep you from trusting in the power of divine love and freedom as revealed in the empty tomb.”

The dinner that followed the liturgy included the presentation of the St. Thomas More Society’s “Couple for All Seasons Award” to retired Justice Brent Dickson and his wife Jan Aikman Dickson. The award is given annually to those whose life and work exemplifies the ideals of St. Thomas More.

Justice Dickson served on the Indiana Supreme Court for more than 30 years, and was its chief justice for two years. He was also the second-longest serving justice in the history of the court. Jan founded the Judicial Family Institute, a national organization dedicated to providing information and education on topics of concern and importance to judicial households and their family members.

Patrick Olmstead Jr., said the couple has been longtime proponents of the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana.

“They’ve been steadfast in their support and in their encouragement of their fellow members of the judiciary to attend [and be part of the organization],” said Olmstead, president of the society and a member of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.

Retired Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr., a former colleague of Chief Justice Dickson on the Indiana Supreme Court, called the recognition of the couple for their longtime commitment to the judiciary and its families “an inspired decision.”
 

(For more information on the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana, go to stmsindy.org.) †