2025 Red Mass

 The celebration of the Red Mass originated in Paris in 1245 and spread to England around 1310 to mark the opening of each Court term. The priests and the judges of the High Court wore red robes for the Mass, giving rise to its name. The tradition of the Red Mass has continued in the United States where judges and elected officials of all faiths seek God’s guidance in the administration of justice, including the annual celebration in Washington, D.C., where members of the United States Supreme Court join members of Congress and other officials to herald the opening of the Supreme Court’s term.

The St. Thomas More Society and the Most Reverence Charles Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis cordially invite you to attend this year’s Red Mass on Monday September 15, 2025, at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral located at 1347 N. Meridian St. in downtown Indy.  Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m.    

Reception and dinner afterwards at the Catholic Center Assembly Hall, 1400 N. Meridian St. Our featured speaker is Joe Donnelly, former ambassador to the the Vatican. The 2025 Woman for All Seasons award honoree is Julie Armstrong, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Bar Association and Bar Foundation, whose life and work exemplifies the ideals of St. Thomas More, an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, and statesman, who courageously maintained his religious principles against England’s King Henry VIII, with an award after Communion and before the dismissal. 

With warmest regards,

Dave Certo; Nancy Gargula, Andrea Townsend, and  Very Rev. Timothy M. Wyciskalla, members of the Red Mass Committee of the Saint Thomas More Society of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; and the Most Reverend Charles Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis 

We look forward to seeing you at this great event.