Red Mass honors legal profession

By John Gleason

The annual Red Mass was held Oct. 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Confession in Denver.  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap. was the main celebrant for the Mass to honor those in the legal profession including judges, attorneys, law school professors and students as they seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. 

The Red Mass dates from the 13th century when it was first celebrated in Paris.  Later, the Mass became an annual tradition in England to commemorate the beginning of each new court term.  The color red, traditionally the color of the vestments worn by the priests at a Red Mass, symbolizes the Holy Spirit, particularly in the tongues of fire that descended on the Apostles, according to Ann Allott, president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild.

“The Mass was first celebrated in the United States in 1928,” Allott told the Denver Catholic Register, “and now is held annually to mark the beginning of the Supreme Court’s term.  I’m very pleased to be part of our guild’s history in continuing with this wonderful tradition.”

As part of the celebration, several people were honored for their work in the legal profession and the public square, including Archbishop Chaput who was bestowed with the first Servus Dei in Primis Award (Service to God First) from the St. Thomas More Society.

“The title of the award is intended to invoke the final words spoken by St. Thomas More before his execution,” explained Mike Brooks, president of the St. Thomas More Society.” More said, ‘I am the king’s good servant, but God’s first.’ This year our board decided that Archbishop Chaput should be so honored for his extraordinary contribution to … encouraging the promotion of the Church’s teachings in the public square.”

Brooks added that the board regarded the archbishop’s authorship of “Render Unto Caesar” as a great example of what it means to be a witness to one’s faith in the public square.

The Catholic Lawyers Guild also honored two of their own:  Steven Michalek, who was presented with the St. Thomas More Award, and Kandace Gerdes who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michalek, 41, is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City, Iowa, and currently a shareholder with the firm of Kennedy Childs & Fogg, P.C., in Denver.  He and his wife Julie have two children, Jack and Kate.

The St. Thomas More Award goes to a person who exemplifies the intellect, integrity and moral courage of St. Thomas More in service to God, family and profession.

Michalek said he was a little shocked to get the award.

“I’m just humbled to receive this,” he told the Register.  “I think the world of what the guild has done and respect the members immensely.  To receive this from them is simply a great honor.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to lawyers for outstanding lifetime contributions to religion, profession and country.

Gerdes attended Creighton University and later received her master’s degree in law taxation from the University of Denver in 1991. In private practice as a tax controversy attorney in Denver for 10 years, she has been employed with the Denver District Attorney’s Office and is currently a senior deputy district attorney in the Economic Crime Unit. 

“As I look through the list of individuals who have preceded me in receiving the award I am brought to complete humility to be following in their footsteps,” Gerdes told the Register.  “It’s a great honor for me and I am overwhelmed by the consideration the board gave me in presenting this to me. It’s unbelievably daunting.”

Allott said that in this day when it seems to be more popular to not live one’s faith in public the two Catholic organizations’ membership and support of the Red Mass offers important encouragement.

“I think that we’re fortunate that we’re able to share as lawyers the knowledge of the body of law and the knowledge of the body of the Church,” she said.  “I find it humbling to be part of a group that cherishes and values both in a time when it’s not always an easy thing to do.”