Bishops of Florida Celebrate 51st Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit

On the evening of February 11, the Catholic bishops of Florida continued their long-standing tradition of celebrating a Red Mass during the Florida Legislative Session. Mass participants—which included Florida lawmakers, government officials, justices, and judges—prayed for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and inspiration for all who serve in government and the legal profession. Each year, the Red Mass unites elected leaders and their constituents in prayer for the wisdom and courage to make just decisions that uphold the common good and promote the well-being of all Floridians. 

In his homily, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice called upon all who serve in the administration of justice, whether that be judges, attorneys, lawmakers, elected officials, or the state's public servants, to act with wisdom, integrity and compassion as good stewards of the law during a difficult time in the life of our country that tests people of goodwill. He concluded:

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will pour out on all of you gathered here, the wisdom to discern rightly, the courage to act justly, and the compassion to temper every judgment with mercy. When the final summon comes, when the divine judge calls each of us to account, may he find you to be faithful stewards of all that has been entrusted to you, ready to do his will and worthy of the judgment for which we all hope when the Almighty declares, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share my master's joy."