History of The Red Mass

The "Red Mass" is a  historical tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the thirteenth century when it officially opened the term of the court for most European countries.

The celebrants--government officials, lawyers and judges--would proceed into a church clothed in red vestments or red garments, signifying the fire of the Holy Spirit's guidance to all who pursue justice in their daily lives.

This  important historic tradition was introduced into the United States in 1928 in the Church of St. Andrew, located in New York City.  The Mass was presided over by His Eminence Patrick Cardinal Haves, who strongly encouraged and supported the involvement of the legal community in spreading the Word of God.

The Red Mass is currently celebrated in dioceses throughout the United States, including many of the dioceses of Florida, to invoke God's blessing upon the members of the Bench, Bar, Legislature, Law Enforcement and Governmental agencies, all protectors and administrators of the Law.

The St. Thomas More Society of South Florida was officially founded on December 14, 1989.  A Red Mass was first celebrated in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, by His Excellency, Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy on February 10, 1990, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Since that time it has been celebrated yearly, and  it, as well as the reception that follows, is now one of the premier and  largest-attended annual events for lawyers and judiciary in South Florida. At the reception each year, a distinguished speaker addresses an audience of as many as 580 attendees and The Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy Award is presented to a member of the legal community who typifies the moral principles espoused by St. Thomas More.

Monday, June 17, 2013 5:30 p.m
Reception following at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

Mass location - St. Anthony Catholic Church
901 N.E. 2nd St.
Fort Lauderdale, 33301

Time for Mass - 5:30

Time for reception - 7:00

Time for dinner - 8:00

Reception and dinner location - Marriott Harbor Beach Resort
3030 Holiday Drive
Fort Lauderdale, 33316

2013 Speaker
Honorable Adalberto Jordan, Judge, United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Cost - $95 per person.

2013 Award Recipient
James E. Zloch, Esq.

This will be the 24th year!!!

             Marriott Harbor Beach Resort                                                                     St. Anthony Church

     Photos From Recent Red Mass Receptions and Dinners :  PHOTOS                                                                           

• 1990 - Rev. Robert J. Drinan, S. J., former United States Congressman

• 1991 - Cardinal Adam Maida, Archdiocese of Detroit

• 1992 - Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, O.P., President, Barry University

• 1993 - Daniel Morrissey, Dean, St. Thomas University Law School

• 1994 - Charles E. Rice, Professor, University of Notre Dame Law School

• 1995 - Hon. C. Clyde Atkins, United States District Court Judge

• 1996 - Harry Lee Anstead, Fourth District Court of Appeal

• 1997 - Hon. W. Herbert Moriarty, Broward County Circuit Judge

• 1998 - Hon. Kathleen A. Kearney, Broward County Circuit Judge

• 1999 - United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

• 2000 - Hon. Peter T. Fay, United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

• 2001 - United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

• 2002 - Rev. Edward A. Malloy, President, The University of Notre Dame

• 2003 - Justice Harry Lee Anstead, Florida Supreme Court

• 2004 - Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., internationally-known theologian

• 2005 - Justice Charles Wells, Florida Supreme Court

• 2006 - Justice Raoul J. Cantero, III, Florida Supreme Court

• 2007 - Hon. Charlie Crist, Florida Governor

• 2008 - Hon. Gerald Bard Tjoflat, United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

• 2009 - Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, D.C.

• 2010 - United States Senator George LeMieux

• 2011 - Donna E. Shalala, President, University of Miami

• 2012 - Hon. Peggy Quince, Florida Supreme Court

• 2013 - Honorable Adalberto Jordan, Judge, United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
  

The Saint Thomas More Society of South Florida extends its gratitude to the following sponsors whose past and continuing generous financial  support has helped make this outstanding annual event possible.

2012 Law Firm Sponsors:    

• Bogenschutz, Dutko & Kroll, P,A.
• Brinkley Morgan, Attorneys at Law
• Broad & Cassel
• Robert M. Bulfin, P.A.
• Heather Butler Bush, Esq.
  In Loving Memory of Earle Lee Butler, Esq.
• Camp & Camp, P.A.
• Catri, Holton, Kessler, Kessler & Kessler, P.A.
  
• Conrad & Scherer, LLP
• David W. Crane, P.A. 
• Cubit & Cubit, P.A.
• Ferencik, Libanoff, Brandt, Bustamante & Williams, P.A.
• Fowler, White & Boggs, P.A.
• Greenberg Traurig, LLC
• Green, Murphy & Murphy, P.A.
• Hinshaw & Culbertson
• Hunt & Gross, P.A.
• The Kelly Law Firm
• Paula C. Kessler, Esq. & Kenneth D. Cooper, Esq.
  
• Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Libennan & McKee, P.A
  
• Loughren and Doyle, P.A.
  
• Massey, Colcan & Schuster, LLC
  
• McIntosh, Sawran Peltz & Cartaya, P.A.
  
• Moskowitz, Mandell, Salim & Simowitz, P.A.
  
• Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, P.A.
  
• Panza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A.
  
• Richardson & Tynan, P.L.C.
  
• Roselli & McNelis, P.A.
  
• Law Offices of Robert M. Roselli
  
• Rotella Law, P.A.
  
• Russomanno & Borrello, P.A.
  
• John P. "Jack" Seiler
  Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
  
• Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Weihe
  
• Michael J. Styles, Jr., P.A.
  
• Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, P.A.
  
• Frank C. Walker, P.A.
  
• Law Offices of Marshall C. Watson, P-A.
  Donald A. Wich, Jr, Esq.
  
• Margaret and Donald A.Wich, Sr., Esq.
  

  2012 Corporate Sponsors:

• AutoNation, Inc.
• Blue Marlin Title Corporation
• Brandy's Bail Bonds
• CopyScan, Inc.
• Thomas F. Jordan, C.P.A.
• Leiby Alexander Brandt, ADR Group, LLC
• Mediation, Inc.
• Ruth Stein Cohen Foundation
• Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
• St. Anthony's Catholic Church
• Tropical Acres Steak House, Inc

We also thank the members of the 
St. Thomas More Society of South Florida 
for their support of the 23rd annual Red Mass 2012

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