Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto

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100th Anniversary of the Red Mass

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  • History of Red Mass
  • Red Mass Event
  • Celebrant & Keynote Speaker
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Thomas More Lawyers’ Guilds of Toronto sponsor a Red Mass annually in order to invoke divine guidance and strength during the coming term of the Court.

The Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto traces its history back to the 13th century with the initiation of the Red Mass. In the Cathedral of Paris in 1245, a Mass was held to invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the judges of the Ecclesiastical Courts. It is believed the first liturgy was celebrated in honour of St. Ives of Brittany, the patron saint of lawyers.

The practice of the Red Mass spread to England in 1310 during the reign of King Edward I. The entire Bench and Bar attended this special Eucharist at the beginning of the spring term of Court. The Name “Red Mass” became a tradition because of the red robes worn by the judges and the red vestments worn by the priests. The Red Mass has been held annually in Westminster Cathedral, London, since 1904.

The Red Mass was first held in Toronto in 1925. Its sponsorship was assumed by the Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1931 and by The Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto since 1968. One of the primary objectives of the Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto is the sponsorship of the Red Mass

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The 100th Anniversary of the Red Mass (Accredited for 1 LSO Professional Hour)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Mass: St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica @ 5:00 pm

Reception & Dinner: The Omni King Edward Hotel @ 6:30pm

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Celebrant: Archbishop Francis Leo

Archbishop Leo was named as the Archbishop of Toronto on Saturday, February 11, 2023 by Pope Francis. He was installed as Archbishop on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

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Keynote Speaker: Rex Murphy

Rex Murphy has won several national and provincial broadcasting awards and has been awarded honorary doctorates in letters by Memorial University, St. Thomas University, and Nipissing University, and an honorary doctorate in laws by the University of Waterloo.

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“I think that if any good thing shall go forward, something must be adventured.”

100th Anniversary of the Red Mass

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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Archbishop Francis Leo

“Do whatever he tells you”

Archbishop Francis Leo was born in Montreal in 1971 to Italian immigrant parents Francesco Leo and Rosa Valente, Archbishop Leo attended Eugenio Pacelli Elementary School, John F. Kennedy High School and CEGEP Vanier. He then entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese of Montreal on 14 December 1996. He served in different parish assignments in Montréal (assistant pastor at Our Lady of Consolata, parochial administrator of Saint-Joseph-de-RDP, and pastor of Saint-Raymond-de-Peñafort) until 2006 when he accepted the invitation to enroll in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and subsequently entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See (2006-2012), serving in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe. On 9 January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness, bestowing the title of Monsignor.

Upon his return to Canada, he joined the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy while providing spiritual direction, formation and accompaniment to the candidates for the priesthood. In the fall of 2015 he was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a mandate which came to an end in the fall of 2021. As of February 1st 2022, Archbishop Leo was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal.

In addition to his extensive graduate studies in Canon Law (Pontifical Lateran University), Diplomacy and International Law, Archishop Leo holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology (University of Dayton ⁄ IMRI) with a specialization in Mariology, a Licentiate in Philosophy (Pontifical Lateran University), a Diploma in Classical Studies (Université de Montréal) and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Aquinas Institute of Theology). He worked as a Judge for the Canadian Appeal Tribunal and has taught theology, spirituality and philosophy at Montreal, Canberra (Australia), Dayton (USA) and Ottawa, among other places. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish. Archbishop Leo is President and founding member of the Canadian Mariological Society, Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as well as a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Domenic (Third Order Dominican).

Archbishop Leo was appointed by the Holy Father Titular Bishop of Tamada and Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal on July 16, 2022, and was ordained to the Episcopacy on September 12, 2022. Archbishop Leo was named as the Archbishop of Toronto on Saturday, February 11, 2023 by Pope Francis. He was installed as Archbishop on Saturday, March 25, 2023

Rex Murphy

“One of the greatest problems of our time is that many are schooled but few are educated.”

Rex Murphy was born and raised near St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he graduated from Memorial University. In 1968, he went to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Afterwards, returning to Newfoundland, he soon established himself as a quick-witted and accomplished writer, broadcaster and teacher.

Rex Murphy’s primary interest is in language and English literature, but he also has a strong link with politics. He was noted throughout Newfoundland for his biting comments on the political scene, and his nightly television tussles on the supper hour show Here and Now with prominent politicians, including Premier Joey Smallwood, became required viewing for a huge audience.

Rex Murphy gained an insider’s view of the political scene when he worked as executive assistant to the leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland. To get an even closer taste of politics, he ran twice for office in provincial elections – once as a Liberal, once as a Tory – and lost both times.

Rex Murphy contributes weekly TV essays on diverse topics to CBC TV’s The National. At The National’s website there are videos of Rex’s TV commentaries.

He also writes book reviews, commentaries, and a weekly column for the National Post. A collection of his columns, reviews and commentaries has been published in two books: Points of View and Canada And Other Matters of Opinion.

Over the years he has worked extensively with CBC and he has contributed many items on current affairs issues. For The National he has done many documentaries, including the highly acclaimed Unpeopled Shores, about the tragedy of the disappearing cod, and pieces on writer Annie Proulx, the Second World War, scientist Hubert Reeves, business tycoon Conrad Black, and William Shakespeare. He is much in demand as a speaker. His oratory — a volatile mix of insight, humour and biting political commentary, powered by an extraordinary vocabulary — brings audiences to their feet at events from coast to coast. Rex Murphy has won several national and provincial broadcasting awards and has been awarded honorary doctorates in letters by Memorial University, St. Thomas University, and Nipissing University, and an honorary doctorate in laws by the University of Waterloo.