Once again the Catholics Lawyers have come together to invoke the aid of the Advocate (Holy Spirit) through the celebration of the Red Mass.
The Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as the Red Mass, was held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the century old Church of St. Anthony, Kuala Lumpur.
The presider was the newly installed Bishop of Penang, His Lordship Bishop Sebastian Francis.
Con-celebrants at the Mass included His Grace, Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and His Lordship Bishop Emeritus Anthony Selvanayagam, Bishop Emeritus of Penang.
Other con-celebrants were His Excellency Monsignor Marek Zalewski, chargé d'affaires, Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy) Kuala Lumpur, Rev. Fr Jestus Pereira and Rev. Fr. Cyril. Also present was Rev. Fr. Joseph Matthews OFM Cap and brothers and sisters from various religious congregations.
Also present were His Lordship Mr Justice (rtd) Richard Tallala, Senator Datuk Maglin D’Cruz, Federal Deputy Information Minister and The Honourable Ms. Teresa Kok, Senior State Exco of the Selangor State Government.
Approximately 70 odd Catholic Lawyers from the Klang Valley attended the celebration. Some came as far as from Malacca and Teluk Intan, Perak.
In his homily, Bishop Sebastian referred to Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel passage (Mark: 13-17) to ‘follow him’ and said that we too must accept that invitation. He explained that this is our faith which is defined as ‘a relationship with Jesus Christ, where Jesus invites and we respond to love and serve him’. ‘Who am I in this Year of the Faith?’ he asked. Bishop Sebastian explained, ‘we are the disciple of the Lord now and forever. We are part of his Church, which is the body of Jesus Christ and he is our head!’
He said the Holy Father has given us a key symbol in this Year of the Faith, that symbol is ‘faith’.” We must enter the door of faith’, he said. ‘We must overcome our indifferences, stubbornness and our fears so that we can enter the door of faith’.
To be able to do so, we must have both love and truth. He quotes, St Edith who once said, ‘Love & Truth, one without the other is disastrous!’ He asked the lawyers present to be the guardians of the truth. He reminded all that the Holy Father’s motto is "Cooperatores Veritatis", which means, "Co-workers of the Truth."
He said that we should continously adhere to Psalm 15 in our vocation and daily affairs. Psalm 15 reads as follows:
“O LORD, who shall sojourn in thy tent? Who shall dwell on thy holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbour; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honours those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.”
During the President’s address, Joy Appukuttan thanked everyone for being part of the celebration. He reminded all that the Society will continue to defend the right of freedom of religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution through the due process of the law including the right to use the word, ‘Allah’!
His Grace Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, congratulated the Catholic Lawyers for their support and assistance that has been accorded to the archdiocese. He encouraged the Catholic lawyers to continue to walk for justice!
At the conclusion of the celebration, all present were treated to light refreshments and fellowship ensued.
The Society extends its appreciation to Rev. Fr. Terrance Thomas, parish priest of the Church of St. Anthony, its choir, altar servers and all who assisted in the celebration of the Red Mass 2013.
The Society places on record its gratitude for the work of Trevor Padasian and his sub-committee who worked tirelessly in the preparation of the Red Mass 2013.