Historic Red Mass this Sunday

Historic Red Mass this Sunday

The annual Red Mass to mark the beginning of the new legal year in Scotland takes place on Sunday 1 October at St Mary’s RC Church on Broughton Street in Edinburgh at 12 noon.

The Mass will be presided over by the Pope’s new Ambassador to Great Britain, Archbishop John Adams, the Papal Nuncio.

Red Masses date back to the Middle Ages, with the Scottish one running in modern times as an official Court of Session event since the 1940s. The most famous Red Mass runs annually in Washington DC and has been attended by various US Presidents.

The Mass on Sunday will see legal history made as it is due to be attended by more Senators of the College of Justice than any previous Red Mass in modern times in Scotland. Law Officers and the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates will join representatives of the Law Society of Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, WS Society and sheriffs, advocates, solicitors and law students to celebrate the new legal year.

All are welcome regardless of faith and there will be a procession of members of the profession at the start of the Mass. Those wishing to take part in the procession should be at the the Cathedral House at 61 York Place for 11.30am.

The Mass will be followed by an informal drinks reception in the Cathedral Hall to which all are welcome.

For more information, contact Jamie Kerr at Thorntons on jkerr@thorntons-law.co.uk.

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