Red Mass: Bishop honors legal profession

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
“We call upon God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity to grant light, inspiration and guidance to those serving in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government,” from the Cathedral of the Epiphany worship aid for the Nov. 7 Red Mass.
 
For the third year, the Sioux City Cathedral Parish and Bishop Walker Nickless have offered a Red Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany to pray for and honor those working in the legal profession.
 
“The church of the Diocese of Sioux City gathers to say thank you and to pray for you that God our loving father bless you with wisdom, peace and joy,” Bishop Nickless said in his homily. “We gather at this Eucharist, this Mass, to give thanks to God for attorneys, legislators, judges, legal assistants and all members of the legal and governmental professions.”
 
The bishop thanked them for using their talents to serve the communities “and promote justice, honesty, integrity and peace in our communities.”
 
“Our recent political election season reminds us of how important you are, working for the harmony and the common good so needed in our country today,” he said. “We know how difficult it is to do your job of insuring justice and mercy.”

 The red vestments signify the Holy Spirit and the martyrsReferencing St. John Fisher, St. Thomas More and St. Ives, the bishop pointed out that these saints gave their lives “for the cause,” and the red vestments worn at the Mass by the clergy signified the martyrs as well as the Holy Spirit.
 
Scripture readings at the Mass pointed to God’s justice and his love for his people, the bishop explained.
 
“St. Paul in our first reading (Phil 3:3-8a) relates part of his conversion story,” Bishop Nickless said, noting St. Paul believed he was an exemplary Jew. “Then he meets Jesus along the way. It causes him to repent and asks for mercy. He is overwhelmed at the amount of love God gives him.”
 
In the Gospel from Luke 15, the bishop explained the Scripture demonstrates God’s love for each person in the stories of the lost sheep and the woman searching for the lost coin.
 
“We are that lost sheep of the 99. We wander away and God, the Good Shepherd, seeks us out. He does something that most see as stupid and crazy. Why leave the 99 for the 1? Because God is crazy in love with us and does not want one to be lost,” Bishop Nickless stressed.
 
God wants us to bring “love, peace, justice and mercy” to others and search out those in need of it. He said it is similar to the work of the legal professionals.
 
“As judges and lawyers, as legislators and legal assistants, you seek out the lost, forgotten and ignored. You bring them justice and mercy. Show them God’s love. Then, join in rejoicing that the lost have been found,” the bishop addressed the legal workers.
 
The Mass
The bishop was joined at the altar with Sioux City Mater Dei Parish Pastor and Vicar General Father Brad Pelzel and Father David Esquiliano, pastor of the Cathedral Parish and judicial vicar. Deacon Dale Tigges of Sioux City Holy Cross Parish, who works as an attorney, was one of the deacons of the Mass and proclaimed the Gospel and offered the prayers of the faithful.

 Deacon Dale Tigges is also an attorneyDeacon Bruce Chartier of Cathedral Parish prepared the altar and Deacon Mark Prosser of Cathedral Parish served as master of ceremonies. 

John and Deb (Morris) Malloy presented the gifts to Bishop Nickless. John is director of information technology for the city of Sioux City and Woodbury County. Deb is an attorney in Sioux City.
 
Following the Mass, the parish offered a reception for the legal professionals and all in attendance at the Mass.
 
According to the Office of Worship, origins of a special Mass for those working in law began in Europe in the early 13^th century. The first Red Mass may have been celebrated in 1245. Some Red Masses were celebrated in France in honor of St. Ives, a patron saint of lawyers. Red vestments were worn for the martyrs Thomas More and John Fisher and also for the invocation of the Holy Spirit for members of the judiciary.