Red Mass for legal professionals set for Oct. 1 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis

By Sean Gallagher

The St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana’s annual Red Mass for those in the legal profession will be celebrated at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson is scheduled to be the principal celebrant of the Mass.

A dinner reception will follow in the Assembly Hall of the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, 1400 N. Meridian St., across the street from the cathedral. During the dinner event, John Floreancig, general counsel and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, will be honored with the society’s “Man for All Seasons” award.

Judge David Certo, who serves in the Marion County Probate Court and is president of the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana, said Floreancig is a tremendous example of a legal professional carrying out well the oath that all lawyers make when being admitted to the bar. This oath includes the promise that “I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless, the oppressed or those who cannot afford adequate legal assistance, so help me God.”

“John and his organization serve poor people with legal needs in eight central Indiana counties,” Certo said. “We believe John’s example of living both his Catholic faith and his oath as a lawyer reminds everyone in our community that we can live holy, intentional and meaningful lives, both personally and professionally.”

According to its website, the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, founded in 1941, seeks to “provide consultation, education, advice and representation across a wide range of legal issues, most frequently in the areas of housing, guardianship, adoption and family law” to “the most vulnerable members of the central Indiana community: the elderly and persons with a physical and/or mental disability, children and their caretakers, and low-income individuals who otherwise would not receive legal help.”

A Red Mass is a centuries-old tradition of those who work in law to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the legal term in the early fall. The liturgy derives its name from the red vestments worn by the clergy during the Mass, red being symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

“The red liturgical vestments remind us to invoke the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessings on our work as lawyers and judges,” Certo said. “When ordered correctly, human law reflects God’s plan for our flourishing, both in protecting the weak and vulnerable and by sanctioning evil.

“We feel deeply grateful that Archbishop Thompson makes it a priority to pray with and for our judges and lawyers each year and for hosting the Red Mass at the cathedral.”

Floreancig will deliver remarks at the dinner after he has received his award.

All are invited to take part in the Mass and dinner. Judges, attorneys, law students and others who work in the legal field are especially encouraged to attend.

The cost for the dinner is $45. Table sponsorships are available for $450.

Registration to attend the dinner is required by Sept. 21. To register, go to bit.ly/3yFg7xv (case sensitive). No registration is required for those attending the Mass only.

For more information about registration or sponsorship, call 317-236-1482. For information about the Red Mass, send an e-mail to stthomasmoreindy@gmail.com. †