Dating to the 13th century, the Red Mass is a tradition honoring the legal profession and invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the pursuit of justice. At Seton Hall Law, the annual celebration brings together faculty, alumni, students, families and guests to mark the start of the academic year and reflect on justice, integrity and service.
As part of the Red Mass, the St. Thomas More Society presents the St. Thomas More Medal to lawyers who exemplify professional excellence and the Catholic faith. Since 1986, the medal has honored members of the legal profession who embody these ideals. Read more →
The first recorded Red Mass was celebrated in Paris in 1245. The tradition later spread
to England and became associated with the opening of the judicial year at Westminster
Abbey. Its name comes from the red vestments worn by celebrants and the scarlet robes
historically worn by judges. Seton Hall Law began hosting the Red Mass in 1984, when professors, students and lawyers
in the Archdiocese of Newark brought the tradition to the local legal community. The
inaugural Mass was held in a law school classroom, followed by a “brown bag” gathering.
Seton Hall Law
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP
September 26, 2026
4 - 8 p.m. EDT
The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Newark, New Jersey
Learn More and Register
*Reception to follow at Archdiocesan Center
"For many lawyers in New Jersey—Catholic and non-Catholic—the annual Red Mass signals the start of a new year on the legal calendar entrusted to the wisdom and inspiration of a higher authority, the source of order in the universe and the measure of justice in the affairs of humanity."
Fr. Nicholas Gengaro
Law School Chaplain
2025
Professor Denis McLaughlin
John F. Chiaia ’93
2024
Noreen M. Giblin, Esq. ’98
Kevin G. Walsh, Esq. ’98
2023
Honorable Brian Martinotti ‘86
2022
Honorable Michael A. Chagares ’87
2021
Honorable Joseph A. Dickson ’81
2020
K. Anthony Thomas, Esq. ’95
2019
Kevin H. Marino, Esq. ’84
2018
Suzanne Coco Midlige, Esq. ’91
2017
Honorable Jeffrey S. Chiesa
2016
Susan A. Feeny, Esq. ’78
2015
Patrick C. Dunican Jr. Esq. ’91
2014
The Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo ’89
2013
Kevin Ryan, Esq.
2012
Stephen J. Foley, Sr. Esq. ’54 †
Kevin M. O’Dowd, Esq.
2011
Mariellen Dugan, Esq. ’91
Professor Emeritus Francis P. McQuade †
2010
The Honorable Marilyn C. Clark
2009
Karol Corbin Walker, Esq. ’86
Thomas E. Durkin, Jr., Esq. †
2008
Professor John B. Wefing
2007
Governor Christopher J. Christie ’87
2006
J. Michael Nolan, Jr., Esq. †
2005
The Honorable Eugene J. Codey, Jr. ’74
2004
Professor Paula A. Franzese
2003
Bernard M. Hartnett, Jr., Esq. ’55 †
2002
Matthew Boylan, Esq. †
2001
Joseph P. LaSala, Esq. ’72
2000
Dean Emeritus & Professor Ronald J. Riccio ’71
1999
Kenneth F. Kunzman, Esq. †
1998
The Honorable Patrick J. McGann, Jr. †
1997
The Honorable William G. Bassler
1996
The Honorable Dorothea O’C. Wefing ’72
1995
The Honorable Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
1994
Adrian M. Foley, Jr., Esq. †
1993
The Honorable Daniel J. O’Hern †
1992
Reverend Daniel A. Degnan, S.J. ’54 †
1991
Raymond M. Tierney, Esq. †
1990
Elmer M. Matthews, Esq. †
1989
The Honorable Marie L. Garibaldi †
1988
Bernard F. Conway, Esq. †
1987
The Honorable John J. Gibbons †
1986
William B. McGuire, Esq. ’58 †
