The Red Mass

Due to the ongoing suspension of large indoor gatherings, the St. Thomas More Society will be joined by Bishop Oscar Cantu for Evening Prayer in place of the annual Red Mass. This virtual event will last 40-50 minutes and take place over Zoom on October 29, 2020, beginning at 5:30pm. For access to the Zoom link, please contact Dick Noack at rnoack@hopkinscarley.com.

Evening Prayer (also called Vespers) is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, and traces its origins to the third century. Following the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the Liturgy of the Hours was translated into the vernacular and simplified.

The Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the whole Church, marks the hours of the day, thereby making it holy and fulfilling Jesus’ command to “pray always.” In ordination, bishops, priests, and deacons vow to pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day, usually at least Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, which are referred to as the “hinge hours.” Some religious communities pray seven times throughout the day. Many members of the laity also pray Morning and Evening Prayer every day, either alone or in community.

Evening Prayer gives thanks for the day just past and praises God. It revolves around the Magnificat canticle, various psalms and antiphons, and readings that vary according to liturgical season.