Red Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church Kuching ushers in Sarawak legal year

KUCHING (Jan 31): Members of the Catholic legal fraternity in Sarawak gathered at Blessed Sacrament Church here today for the annual Red Mass, a long-standing tradition that marks the beginning of the legal year and seeks divine guidance for those involved in the administration of justice.

The Mass was presided over by Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Dato Dr Simon Poh, with Father Leonard Yap assisting in the consecration.

It was attended by judges, legal practitioners, law students, and legal officials from across Sarawak.

In his homily, Archbishop Poh urged members of the legal community to look beyond legalism and discharge their duties with integrity, compassion, and a strong moral conscience.

He reminded those present that the pursuit of justice must be guided not only by statutes and procedures, but also by a commitment to the common good.

The presence of senior members of the judiciary and the state’s legal counsel reflected the unity and shared values within Sarawak’s legal fraternity.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of mementos to the celebrants. The presentation was made by State Legal Counsel Dato Sri JC Fong and Senior Counsel Datin Lucy Salang on behalf of the Sarawak Catholic legal fraternity.

Following the Mass, the organising committee expressed appreciation to the clergy and volunteers, including the choir and altar servers, for their contributions to the solemn celebration.

The organising committee said the Red Mass continues to be an important annual event, providing space for spiritual reflection and reaffirming ethical commitments among legal professionals.

The Red Mass is a centuries-old tradition that began in Paris in 1245 and was first observed in Sarawak in 2015.

The Red Mass serves as a spiritual cornerstone for legal professionals, providing time for reflection, prayer, and renewal as they carry out their professional responsibilities.

This year’s celebration focused on the theme drawn from Matthew 23:23, emphasising the need to balance the technical application of the law with the “weightier matters” of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.