[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 137 (Friday, October 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11247-S11248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      JUBILEE RED MASS HOMILY OF THE MOST REVEREND PAUL S. LOVERDE

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, on Sunday, October 1st, the Most 
Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, delivered the Red Mass 
Homily at the Cathedral of St. Matthew here in Washington. It was the 
48th annual Red Mass at St. Matthew's, all of which have been sponsored 
by the John Carroll Society.
  The Red Mass--a Solemn Mass of the Holy Spirt--originated hundreds of 
years ago to mark the beginning of judicial year of the Sacred Roman 
Rota, which is the supreme ecclesiastical and secular court of the Holy 
See. The name of the Mass is drawn from the red vestments traditionally 
worn by the celebrants, and also by the scarlet robes of the royal 
judges who attended. The color red represents tongues of fire, 
symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
  The tradition of the Red Mass spread from Rome to Paris--where it is 
now the only Mass held at La Sainte Chapelle, London--celebrated 
annually at Westminster Cathedral since the Middle Ages, and beyond. 
The tradition was inaugurated in the United States in 1928 at Old Saint 
Andrew's Church in New York City. Here in Washington, the Red Mass is 
held on the Sunday before the first Monday in October to coincide with 
the new term of the United States Supreme Court. Justices of the Court, 
other judges, law professors, lawyers, diplomats, government officials, 
and people of all faith attend the Mass to invoke God's blessing and 
guidance in the administration of justice.
  As Bishop Loverde pointed out in his homily, this year's Mass is 
special since it occurs in a Jubilee Year and at the dawn of the third 
Christian Millennium.
  The Jubilee tradition stems from the Book of Leviticus, in which God 
instructs Moses to ``hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty 
throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a 
jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, 
and ye shall return every man unto his family.'' (25:10) God further 
admonishes Moses, ``Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but 
thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.'' (25:17)
  Fifty years ago, we were engaged in a twilight struggle with 
Communist totalitarianism. Today, the Soviet Union exists no longer, 
and we are at peace and prosperous--due in large part, no doubt, 
because we are a nation of laws. We think of our nation as young, but 
we are old: there are two nations on earth, the United States and Great 
Britain, that both existed in 1800 and have not had their form of 
government changed by forces since then. There are eight--I repeat, 
eight--nations which both existed in 1914 and have not had their form 
of government changed by violence since then. Do we recognize how 
extraordinarily blessed we re? We abide by the rule of law, and so 
persist and prosper.
  Bishop Loverde lovingly reminds us that in this ``Year of Favor,'' 
the work of justice is peace--opus iustitiae pax. He quotes from Joseph 
Allegretti, who wrote, ``those who enter law with the intent to bring 
justice to a broken world, to vindicate the rights of the weak and 
vulnerable, to heal broken relationships, to ensure equality to all 
persons . . . these persons have responded to a true calling.'' 
Allegretti remarked that law ``is a vehicle of service to God and to 
neighbor, not simply a gateway to financial and social success.'' I 
might add that law is not only ``a vehicle of service to God.'' It is a 
gift from God which we must cherish.
  It is fitting that the John Carroll Society sponsors the Red Mass 
each year. John Carroll helped the colonies win their independence. 
After the Revolution, he was appointed superior of all U.S. Catholics. 
In 1789, he founded Georgetown University. he and his brother, Daniel, 
who was a member of the Constitutional Convention, insisted that the 
new Constitution prohibit any religious test for public office, and 
were influential forces for the freedom of religion clause contained in 
the First Amendment. In 1790, Carroll was consecrated the first 
Catholic bishop in the United States, and served from his cathedral in 
Baltimore. Ten years later, four additional dioceses were created and 
Carroll became Archibishop. He established St. Mary's College and 
Seminary, and he encouraged Elizabeth Ann Seton to found the order of 
The Sisters of Charity.
  Mr. President, it is customary each year to have the Red Mass Homily 
placed in the Congressional Record. I commend Bishop Loverde's homily 
and his moving call to all who are servants of justice and peace to be 
advocates for a ``new humanism'' that affirms the fundamental dignity, 
worth, and inalienable rights of each of us. I feel privileged to ask 
that the Bishop's homily for this year's Red Mass be printed in the 
Record.
  The material follows:

                        Jubilee Red Mass Homily


   The most reverend Paul S. Loverde--Bishop of Arlington, Virginia, 
               cathedral of st. matthew, washington, DC.

       Your Eminence, Distinguished Guests, Sisters and Brothers 
     all in the Lord:
       This 48th annual celebration of the Red Mass here at St. 
     Matthews Cathedral is truly unique this year. It is the 
     Jubilee Red Mass celebrated at the dawn of the Third 
     Christian Millennium. This Jubilee tradition began in the Old 
     Testament and continues in the history of the Church. Every 
     Jubilee year is understood to be a Year of the Lord's favor 
     to His people.
       The words of today's first reading from the Book of the 
     Prophet Isaiah powerfully proclaim the core meaning of the 
     Jubilee Year and the responsibility entrusted to each of us 
     every day, but with greater emphasis now during this special 
     Year. ``The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord 
     has anointed me; He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the 
     lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the 
     captives and release to prisoners, to announce a year of 
     favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God . . 
     .'' (Is. 61:1-2). These words of Isaiah remind us, in this 
     ``Year of Favor,'' of the spirit of humanism that must guide 
     our every action.
       Moreover, this is a year of ``increased sensitivity to all 
     that the Spirit is saying to the Church and to the Churches, 
     as well as to individuals through the charisms meant to serve 
     the whole community'' (Tertio Millenio Adveniente, 23). Are 
     we not gathered in prayer during this Votive Mass of the Holy 
     Spirit to give tangible expression to our desire to be more 
     sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying? Is not our 
     participation in this Red Mass a concrete expression of our 
     desire to be docile and open to the action of the Holy Spirit 
     in our minds and hearts this year in a renewed way? Are we 
     not seeking in prayer--a prayer that is sincere and humble 
     and hope-filled--to hear ``what the Spirit is suggesting to 
     the different communities, from the smallest ones, such as 
     the family, to the largest ones, such as nations and 
     international organizations, taking into account cultures, 
     societies, and sound traditions'' (Tertio Millennio 
     Adveniente, No. 23)?
       Addressing the Italian National Association of Magistrates 
     this past March, Pope John Paul II pointed out that the 
     Jubilee challenges the people of our time to fulfill 
     responsibly the tasks entrusted to them. His words also speak 
     eloquently to you: ``By your freely accepted vocation, you 
     have put yourselves at the service of justice and so also at 
     the service of peace. The ancient Romans liked to say: `opus 
     iustitiae pax' (The work of justice is peace). There can be 
     no peace among human beings without justice. This opus 
     iustitiae, on which peace is based, is carried out within a 
     precise ethical-juridical) framework and is an ongoing 
     worksite. Indeed, wherever fundamental human rights, the 
     inalienable rights that no legislation can violate, are 
     codified in laws, it is always possible to give them a more 
     complete juridical formulation and, above all, a more 
     effective application in the concrete context social life'' 
     (Pope John Paul II, Address to the National Association of 
     Magistrates, 3/31/00). This does not happen easily. To this 
     end, the Pope states further: ``A legal culture, a State 
     governed by law, a democracy worthy of the name, are 
     therefore characterized not only by the effective structuring 
     of their legal systems, but especially by their relationship 
     to the demands of the common good and of the universal moral 
     principles inscribed by God in the human heart'' (Pope John 
     Paul II, Address to the National Association of Magistrates, 
     3/31/00).
       What then is the Spirit of truth saying to us specifically 
     at this Jubilee Red Mass? What is the Spirit of truth saying 
     to those of you who serve the cause of justice and peace as 
     judges, lawyers, members of the Legislative and Executive 
     branches of government, diplomats, professors and students of 
     the law? The Jubilee Year challenges you to give fundamental 
     rights, ``a more complete juridical formulation and above 
     all, a more effective application in the concrete context of 
     social life'' (Pope John Paul II, Address to

[[Page S11248]]

     the National Association of Magistrates, 3/31/00). This takes 
     on many forms, many formulations, but all are directed to the 
     same end--the protection of the human person and society. 
     Moreover, I speak of the perennial challenge in our day to 
     work for a ``new humanism.'' This ``new humanism'' finds its 
     basis in the dignity of the human person and his/her 
     inalienable rights. ``The dignity of the person is the 
     most precious possession of an individual. As a result, 
     the value of one person transcends all the material world 
     . . . The dignity of the person constitutes the foundation 
     of the equality of all people among themselves . . . The 
     dignity of the person is the indestructible property of 
     every human being. The force of this affirmation is based 
     on the uniqueness and irrepeatability of every person'' 
     (cf Cristifideles Laici, no. 37). You and I are repeatedly 
     called to be advocates for this ``new humanism.''
       From the Christian viewpoint, the challenge is to 
     rediscover the central reality of Christ who ``fully reveals 
     man to himself and brings to light his most high calling'' 
     (Gaudium et Spes, 22). Quite specifically, ``Christian 
     humanism implies first of all an openness to the 
     Transcendent. It is here that we find the truth and the 
     grandeur of the human person, the only creature in the 
     visible world capable of self-awareness and recognizing that 
     he is surrounded by that supreme Mystery which both reason 
     and faith call God'' (Pope John Paul II, Address to 
     University Professors, no. 4, 9/9/00). Pope John Paul II 
     applies this insight further saying: ``The humanism which we 
     desire advocates a vision of society centered on the human 
     person and his inalienable rights, on the values of justice 
     and peace, on a correct relationship between individuals, 
     society and the State, on the logic of solidarity and 
     subsidiarity. It is a humanism capable of giving a soul to 
     economic progress itself, so that it may be directed to `the 
     promotion of each individual and of the whole person' '' 
     (Pope John Paul II, Address to University Professors, no. 6, 
     9/9/00).
       In being advocates for this ``new humanism'' within the 
     complexity of our culture and society, a powerful Advocate is 
     being sent to stand by you. That Advocate is the Holy Spirit. 
     It is the particular role of God the Holy Spirit to reveal 
     God's Word and Will, and to help us in understanding and 
     responding to His divine plan for us. Indeed, Jesus makes 
     this very promise in today's gospel. ``If you love me and 
     obey the commands I give you, I will ask the Father and He 
     will give you another Advocate--to be with you always; the 
     Spirit of truth . . . You can recognize Him because he 
     remains with you and will be within you'' (Jn. 14:15-17).
       Catholic theology, reflecting on scripture, enumerates 
     seven particular gifts of the Holy Spirit: Knowledge, 
     Counsel, Understanding, Wisdom, Piety, Fortitude, and Fear of 
     the Lord. These gifts of the Spirit are permanent 
     dispositions which make us docile and open to the promptings 
     of the Holy Spirit. These are gifts for which we pray in a 
     special way during this Mass of the Holy Spirit, this Jubilee 
     Red Mass.
       Knowledge is the gift which helps us to know God and what 
     He expects of us through His self revelation in creation and 
     in the person of Jesus Christ.
       Counsel is the gift from the Holy Spirit in which one 
     receives the very counsel of God--divine advice. It is 
     insight from the Holy Spirit which leads to a correct 
     assimilation of the knowledge we have discovered.
       Understanding assists us in perceiving the hidden meanings 
     of reality. As St. Thomas Aquinas observes: ``There are many 
     kinds of things that are hidden within, which human knowledge 
     has to penetrate, so to speak. Under the appearances of a 
     thing lies hidden its essence, under words lies hidden their 
     meaning, and under effects lie hidden their causes--and vice 
     versa.'' (cf. Summa Theologica II/II, Q.8, art. 1).
       Wisdom enables one to know the purposes and plan of God. It 
     gives us the ability to see life and its meaning, as well as 
     persons, events and things, from the divine point of view, 
     and to recognize the inner value of persons, events and 
     things.
       Piety leads one to a devotion to God. ``As a gift of the 
     Holy Spirit, piety moves us to worship God Who is the Father 
     of all, and also to do good to others out of reverence for 
     God'' (Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Encyclopedia, p. 784).
       Fortitude provides the internal strength and courage to be 
     firm in difficulty and constant in doing good.
       Lastly, there is the gift of the Fear of the Lord. This is 
     not a servile fear, but a filial fear, the desire not to 
     offend because of love, not fear. This gift ensures our awe 
     and reverence before God and helps us to acknowledge our 
     radical dependence upon Him.
       As we advocate the ``new humanism,'' which centers on the 
     human person and protects and ensures his or her inalienable 
     rights within the context of justice and peace, these seven 
     inter-connected gifts provide much encouragement, insight and 
     support. They are given to help you, to help you in your 
     essential and truly important work for our world, this 
     country and our city. They are gifts of God to each of us, 
     gifts for which we constantly pray.
       A renewed understanding of your vocation as advocates for 
     justice emerges and is reflected so simply, yet so 
     powerfully, in the words of one distinguished professor: 
     ``Those who enter law with the intent to bring justice to a 
     broken world, to vindicate the rights of the weak and 
     vulnerable, to heal broken relationships, to ensure equality 
     to all persons * * * these persons have responded to a true 
     calling. Law for them is a vehicle of service to God and to 
     neighbor, not simply a gateway to financial and social 
     success'' (Joseph Allegretti: The Lawyer's Calling: Christian 
     Faith and Legal Practice, p. 31).
       I applaud those among you who share your legal talents with 
     those in need, especially those who participate in the 
     Archdiocesan Pro Bono Legal Network. For you, the practice of 
     law truly becomes ``a service to God and to your neighbor.'' 
     Yet the need for pro bono assistance keeps increasing and 
     demands an even greater and more generous response in our 
     day.
       Those among us involved with the forging ahead of a ``new 
     humanism'' must respond genuinely and faithfully. Ours is a 
     Nation founded upon the ideal of the ``inalienable rights of 
     every person.'' Our Nation leads the world in technological 
     advancement, economic growth and military strength. Yet, 
     there still exists a sad inequality among us in our society. 
     I mention the following three examples in response to the 
     challenge of the ``new humanism.'' First, 40 million 
     Americans live without health care benefits, of whom 10 
     million are American children (U.S. News, Matthew Miller 8/
     18/97). Secondly, a large number of senior citizens find it 
     difficult to afford much needed prescription drugs. Thirdly, 
     the choice for quality education is not always available for 
     many in our Nation. Each cries out for our collective 
     response.
       In addition, we live in a culture where distrust and lying 
     are only too evident. We must learn to speak the truth in 
     love, to proclaim the sanctity of all human life, both of the 
     innocent and of the guilty, from conception through every 
     stage until natural death. the splendor of the truth must 
     shine through the ``new humanism'' you advocate.
       So much of your time is spent with time-sheets, agenda 
     books, email, faxes and meetings. Your inner spirits surely 
     thirst for something more; indeed, for time to be with the 
     Transcendent One--the Holy One--the source of these seven 
     gifts, especially wisdom and fortitude. In those treasured 
     moments, your minds will be enlightened and your inner 
     spirits renewed, so that your advocacy for justice and peace 
     will be all the more authentic and real.
       Yes, the Jubilee challenges you who are servants of justice 
     and peace to be advocates for a ``new humanism,'' which will 
     permeate your legal decisions, your legislative processes and 
     your diplomatic service. May the Holy Spirit--the Advocate--
     be at your side, as together we move forward in joy and in 
     hope! Amen.

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