The St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles will host the 40th Annual Red Mass
of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 p.m.
Archbishop José H. Gomez will be the celebrant and Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will be the homilist  at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels., 555 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. 
The Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez, who serves as the Chief Judge for the U.S.
District Court for the Central District of California, will deliver closing remarks after
the Mass, followed by a hosted reception with members of the clergy, bench, and bar.
Lector for the Mass will be the Honorable Rozella A. Oliver, U.S. Magistrate
Judge for the Central District of California.
First celebrated in Paris in 1245, the Red Mass is a tradition celebrated annually
at the opening of the Judicial Year, significantly that of the U.S. Supreme Court each
October. Judges and lawyers attend in a body, joined by public officials and law
faculty members. The Red Mass received its name from the Celebrant's vestments in
red, and the Lord High Justices robes of brilliant scarlet. In Los Angeles, this annual
tradition is sponsored by STMSLA. Federal and State judges, as well as local public
officials, normally attend the Mass and lead the entrance procession.