Timothy W. Hassinger, a Director in our Mandeville office, has been elected President of the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association effective October of 2011. The Association is known for its sponsorship of the Red Mass, which is celebrated annually at the St. Louis Cathedral by judges, lawyers and officials of all faiths on the first Monday in October. It is a tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the 13th Century as the official opening of the court’s term for the year. The name originates from the red vestments or garments worn during the Mass in symbolism of the fire of the Holy Spirit and the guidance sought by those in the legal community. Each year, judges from across Louisiana process from the Louisiana Supreme Court in the French Quarter of New Orleans to St. Louis Cathedral for a Mass presided over by the Archbishop of New Orleans and attended by judges, lawyers, government officials and court personnel. This year, the 59th Annual Red Mass will be held on October 3, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Louisiana Supreme Court.
