47th Red Mass will be celebrated Wednesday during Catholic Days at the Capitol

Catholic Mass participants will pray for divine inspiration and guidance for those serving in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government and for members of the legal profession at the annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit.

The Homilist for the Mass, set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 900 W. Tennessee St. will be Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach. A reception immediately follows.

Mass Celebrants include: Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami; Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach; Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice; Bishop John G. Noonan of Orlando; Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of St. Augustine; Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of St. Petersburg; Bishop William A. Wack CSC of Pensacola-Tallahassee; Bishop Enrique E. Delgado of Miami.

The Red Mass of the Holy Spirit, a nearly 800-year-old tradition, originated in France in the 13th century as a service in which God was called upon to guide lawyers and judges in their pursuit of justice. The tradition soon spread to England where, during the reign of King Edward I, the entire Bench and Bar would mark the opening of each term of court by attending a Mass together.

In those services, the priests, as well as the judges of the High Court, wore red robes to signify their willingness to defend the truth inspired by the Holy Spirit, even at the cost of shedding one's blood. Thus, the celebration became popularly known as the "Red Mass."

Red Masses are celebrated throughout Florida and the United States at various times during the year. In Tallahassee, the Red Mass is scheduled annually during Catholic Days at the Capitol.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 47th Red Mass will be celebrated during Catholic Days at the Capitol