Catholic legal professionals gather at cathedral for annual Red Mass

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson processes into SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis on Oct. 1 at the start of the annual Red Mass of the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana. Standing at the front of the congregation are judges wearing their black judicial robes. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

Catholic judges, attorneys and other legal professionals gathered on Oct. 1 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis for the annual Red Mass sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society of Central Indiana.

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson was the principal celebrant of the liturgy. Red vestments are worn at the Mass for legal professionals in a tradition going back to the Middle Ages in which they call upon the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in their work at the beginning of a new legal term in the fall.

The St. Thomas More Society encourages Catholic legal professionals to make their faith the basis of all they do in practicing law. It is named after the 16th-century English lawyer and statesman who died as a martyr after refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Church in England.

At a dinner at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center following the liturgy, John Floreancig, general counsel and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis, was given the St. Thomas More Society’s Man for All Seasons Award.

It takes its name from the title of the 1956 play by Robert Bolt about More, which was made into an Academy Award-winning movie in 1966.

‘Resolutely determined’

In his homily at the Mass, Archbishop Thompson reflected on More in relation to a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke that was proclaimed during the liturgy. The passage described Christ as “resolutely determined” to journey to Jerusalem, even though he knew that he would suffer and die there (Lk 9:51).

The archbishop noted that More was similarly resolute in his “fidelity to Catholic teaching, even when it meant the loss not only of his status but of his life, refusing to allow himself to be driven by emotion, ideology or personal gain.”

With judges from across central Indiana seated before him in their black judicial robes, Archbishop Thompson reflected on challenges facing legal professionals today.

“A bishop recently commented on the impact of social media, that we are currently being over-informed and overwhelmed while stripped of any sense of wonder and awe—the gifts of the Holy Spirit,” Archbishop Thompson said. “We need wonder and awe in our lives. We need time to step back from all that is pushing us—to reflect, to be reminded of God’s grace at work in our lives, that we’re never alone.”

In concluding his homily, the archbishop encouraged his listeners to continue to strive to have their faith undergird all they do in practicing law.

“Amid the daily grind and hardship of decision-making, legal practice and striving to overcome injustice, let us never tire of remaining resolutely determined to be Christ-centered, not ideologically-centered, self-centered or agenda-driven,” Archbishop Thompson said. “As such, may we never lose sight of the dignity of persons, the sacredness of life, the joy of the Gospel, the power of prayer, justice tempered with mercy and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit at work in our midst.”

Serving ‘the least of these’ in law

Floreancig has sought to put these principles into practice daily in his professional life in leading the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society for the past 30 years.

The organization, according to its website, seeks to serve “the most vulnerable members of the central Indiana community: the elderly and persons with a physical and/or mental disability, children and their caretakers, and low-income individuals who otherwise would not receive legal help.”

In an interview with The Criterion after the Red Mass and dinner, Floreancig noted how his work in law has affected his faith.

“The challenges we face, the individuals we serve, often in moments of crisis,” he said, “have given me countless opportunities to witness the Holy Spirit’s presence.

“Seeing people reclaim their dignity through legal representation reinforces my belief in the power of service. Each day, I am reminded of Christ’s call to serve ‘the least of these’ and how vital it is to uphold the values of compassion, justice and mercy.”

At the same time, Floreancig said his faith has helped him be a better lawyer.

“It has shaped my approach to decision-making, reminding me that every choice must be made in the spirit of service and with an eye toward the common good,” he said. “In moments of difficulty, my faith has provided clarity and the strength to persevere, always striving to fulfill our mission of helping the vulnerable and marginalized.”

Floreancig was grateful for being honored by the St. Thomas More Society.

“For over 30 years, I have worked in legal aid, striving to ensure that our work goes beyond the law because it is rooted in service to our community,” he said. “Knowing that this recognition comes from those who understand law as a deeper vocation, a calling to serve others, makes it special.

“Even further, this honor, along with the simple existence of the St. Thomas More Society, reinforces the idea that when faith and legal practice are intertwined, they can contribute to a more just and compassionate society.”

Having practiced law for more than 30 years, Floreancig had words of encouragement for young law students and attorneys to make faith the basis of their work.

“The practice of law is not just about knowing statutes and precedents, it is about the real impact you can make in people’s lives,” he said. “Grounding your work in faith will give you a deeper sense of purpose. It will remind you that you are called to serve, not just your clients, but the broader community and that you are an instrument of justice and peace in a world that sorely needs both.”

‘An absolutely beautiful, beautiful soul’

MaryEllen Bishop, an attorney in Indianapolis who was a law school classmate of Floreancig, was glad to attend the Red Mass and dinner at which he was honored.

“He’s an absolutely beautiful, beautiful soul,” said Bishop, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

Specializing in estate law, Bishop said her faith “helps me understand that it’s very important just to help people.”

“I work with families who are in the grieving process,” she said. “So, I find my faith very important in that.”

At the dinner, Judge Kent Apsley, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County, told The Criterion about how faith, for him, serves as the foundation of all the aspects of his work in law.

“It all flows from there,” said Apsley, who serves in Shelby Superior Court 1 in Shelby County. “If your faith is solid, then your ethics should be solid, and your work ethic should be solid as well. It’s all so intertwined.”

Attending the Red Mass, he said, helps him be renewed in these principles.

“You often can feel alone in this job,” Apsley said. “It’s nice for me to know that there are other attorneys and judges out there who share my faith and values. It’s really special.” †