Priests in vibrant red robes prayed for and with members of the legal profession at the annual Red Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral on Friday.
Area lawyers, judges and elected officials gathered at the mother church of the Diocese of Scranton, blocks from their offices and courtrooms, seeking guidance and blessings in administering law and justice.
The homilist, Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, has held several of the observance's honored roles: priest, lawyer, judge.
Now vice president for university mission and ministry at Fordham University in New York, Monsignor Quinn preached at the Red Mass for the first time since being ordained in 1985 following a six-year legal career.
In his address, he drew lessons from current events, including the election on Tuesday and the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, both of which demonstrated an "urgent need" for cooperation, respect and service.
He recognized elected officials, including those attending the Mass, "all of whom ... deserve our continued prayers and support now that we're on the other side of Election Day, and we're still talking to each other," he said.
He also reflected on St. Paul's assertion that the "whole law" is fulfilled in one phrase: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
"Imagine if we all sought every day to live our lives based on a full awareness of the human needs of those whom we call clients or complainants or defendants or victims - all human beings in search of mercy and compassion," he said.
A Red Mass has been celebrated in the Diocese of Scranton since 1971.
It is planned by members of the 11 county bar associations in the boundaries of the diocese.
Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.com