Red Mass: A Mass for the Legal Community

Seattle University School of Law, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle, invites members of the legal community, alumni, faculty, students and friends to come together for Red Mass, an annual tradition offering a moment of reflection, prayer, fellowship, and renewal for the legal community.

This year’s Mass will be presided over by Father Alejandro Olayo-Méndez, S.J., Seattle University’s new rector, with a special musical performance by Pilar Margarita Hernández Escontrías, Assistant Professor of Law at Seattle University School of Law. A reception will immediately follow the Mass.

The Mass will also include the induction of Seattle University School of Law’s newest members of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit colleges and universities. Their induction recognizes their commitment to scholarship, loyalty, and service – the three values at the heart of Alpha Sigma Nu.

The Red Mass is a centuries-old Catholic tradition that brings together judges, lawyers, law students, public officials and others connected to the administration of justice. Originating in Europe during the Middle Ages, the Mass invokes the guidance of the Holy Spirit for those entrusted with the responsibilities of law and justice. The name comes from the red vestments traditionally worn for the celebration, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

Today, Red Mass offers an opportunity for the legal community to step away from the demands of professional life and reflect on the values – rooted in our faith – that give the work of law its larger purpose: justice, wisdom, integrity, service, and the common good.