Kingā??s College celebrates traditional Red Mass

A traditional Red Mass was recently celebrated in the King's College Chapel of Christ the King. The Mass is held annually on the same day as the opening session of the United States Supreme Court to invoke God's blessing upon members of the legal profession, including members of the King's College community and the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. A Red Mass has been hosted at King's College since 2002. The name ‘Red Mass' comes from the color of the vestments worn by the presider and co-celebrants, the scarlet robes of attending justices and the gowns of law professors. Members of the Luzerne County legal community attended the Mass and luncheon that took place after the service. Participants, from left, first row: the Rev. John J. Ryan, president, King's College; King's College student representatives David J. Buckman and Nicole T. Buckman; and Joseph M. Cosgrove, former Court of Common Pleas Judge of Luzerne County. Second row: attorney Richard C. Shiptoski, adjunct professor, King's College; attorney Joseph S. Falchek, professor, King's College and chair, Red Mass committee; the Rev. Thomas Looney, director of Campus Ministry and college chaplain, King's College; Deacon John E. O'Connor; attorney Joseph F. Saporito Jr., president, Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association; and attorney Joseph P.J. Burke III, secretary/treasurer, Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association.