By Christine Lim
KUALA LUMPUR – The Catholic Lawyers’ Society (CLS) of Kuala Lumpur celebrated their 31st votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, more commonly known as the Red Mass, on Jan 11, at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist (CSJE).
This Eucharistic celebration, which is held annually, was attended by members of the CLS and all practitioners of the legal profession, students undergoing chambering, family, friends and the Catholic faithful from far and wide. An estimated 102 members of the legal profession was present.
The principal celebrant was Archbishop Julian Leow, together with concelebrants, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski, Ecclesiastical Assistant to the CLS, Fr Gregory Chan, Fr William Michael, the Cathedral’s parish priest Fr Gerard Theraviam and a visiting priest.
In Archbishop Julian’s homily, he reminded the lawyers of three key points. First, about the Gospel reading of the Mass (John 3:22-30), the archbishop called on the lawyers to decrease in self but increase in God in their practice and lives, emphasising that their work should reflect this principle.
Second, he preached on the responsibility of lawyers as pilgrims in this world, reminding them that in their life journey from birth to death, they owe it to God to fulfil His work; and third, the archbishop posed challenging questions to the lawyers, asking them if they are Catholics first or lawyers first, whether they are Catholics who happen to be lawyers or lawyers who happen to be Catholics, and if they are serving God through their work as lawyers.
He reminded everyone of the need to have Christ in our hearts when carrying out our work, be it in the legal profession, at home or in society. He emphasised the need to keep the faith while carrying out the mission of upholding and dispensing justice in our daily lives. To do so, we need to strengthen our faith. He also emphasised the concept of democracy in the community and advocated for world peace.
This annual Votive Mass was coordinated and animated by members of the CLS, comprising of the president, the executive committee members, and past presidents. The Society hopes that all its members will continue to support the Society in all of its significant causes, programmes and initiatives.
After Mass, the president of the Society, Stanislaus Cross, thanked the celebrants and clergy, members of the faithful and all who attended the event. He then invited them to join in the fellowship afterwards. The event concluded with a photo session at the main entrance of the cathedral with all the lawyers and celebrants. – Herald Malaysia
