A
Catholic tradition where
public officals celebrate
mass together, originally while wearing red garments, which represent the influence of the
Holy Spirit in their pursuit of
justice. The practice began in Thirteenth Century
Europe, where
judges celebrated the opening of a new court term with a mass.
It continued throughout Europe, entering American legal tradition in 1928 in New York City, at St. Andrew's Church. The Bishop there began the tradition in an attempt to convince lawyers to help spread the word of God through their work. It is still celebrated today throughout the United States, including an annual service for United States Supreme Court Justices the Sunday before their first term in October.