49th Annual Red Mass of the Holy Spirit Celebrated at Co-Cathedral

After spending the day at the Capitol on Wednesday, a congregation wearing red filled the pews of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More that evening. Florida's bishops have celebrated the Red Mass tradition in Tallahassee for nearly five decades, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our state leaders in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Public officials who attended included Governor Ron DeSantis, legislators, justices, and judges. Representative Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) and Mary Camp, FCCB associate director for accreditation, served as lectors. 

The homilist for this year's Red Mass was Msgr. Dariusz Zielonka, chancellor for canonical affairs for the Archdiocese of Miami. Msgr. Zielonka explored the life of St. Thomas More in his homily, a saint who was also a public servant. He shared the following anecdote about St. Thomas More's final hours:
"When he was led to his execution, those who could hear him witnessed his powerful words of final testimony. He stated that he was a good servant of the king, but God’s first. I think this truly summarizes the essence of the Red Mass and our calling: to be courageous, just and faithful to the truth in our vocation, but above all, to remember that whatever we do for the common good is also for the greater glory of God and in the service of God."