October 4, 2020 - Annual Catholic Service ahead of new Supreme Court Term -- to be held virtually (no public attendance at Cathedral)

 from Publicity Page for St. Matthew the Apostle Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (online article)

Join us via livestream for the 68th Annual Red Mass to be held at the Cathedral on Sunday, October 4 at 10 am, with Most Rev. Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, as principal celebrant and Most. Rev. Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, as homilist. This year's Red Mass is not open to the public

The Red Mass 

On February 15, 1953, Archbishop Patrick A. O'Boyle celebrated the first John Carroll Society-sponsored Red Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle. In succeeding years, the congregation frequently has included the President of the United States, the Chief Justice of the United States, Associate Justices, other leading federal, and local jurists, cabinet officials, members of Congress, diplomats, university presidents, deans, professors, students of law, and lawyers.

The Red Mass is celebrated annually at the Cathedral, traditionally on the Sunday before the first Monday in October, which marks the opening of the Supreme Court's annual term. Its purpose is to invoke God's blessings on those responsible for the administration of justice as well as on all public officials.