Bridging Faiths: Hsi Lai Temple Participates in LA County's Red Mass

Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple
December 10, 2024

On October 23, 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles hosted its 42nd annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the largest Catholic church in Los Angeles. Venerable Hui Ze from Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple represented the temple at this significant event.

The Red Mass is a blessing ceremony for legal professionals, including judges and lawyers, marking the start of the new judicial year. It also honors the judicial spirit of St. Thomas More, a 15th-century English judge. The event gathered judicial officials, law enforcement, charitable organizations, and representatives from various faiths, such as Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue and unity. Hsi Lai Temple’s participation highlighted the strong relationships between different religious communities.

Archbishop José Gómez of the Los Angeles Archdiocese presided over the ceremony, which included speeches by Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, and Judge Carolyn Kuhl of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Father Boyle reflected on the biblical phrase, “Stay awake and be prepared, for you do not know when this moment will come.” While it’s often interpreted as a reference to death, he shared a different perspective based on his 40 years of working with formerly incarcerated individuals and gang members. He explained that Jesus’ call to “stay awake” is about being fully present to God’s work in the world—remaining attentive to others, being moved by their experiences, and letting that inspire action. For Father Boyle, staying awake means embracing life as it unfolds and engaging meaningfully with the present moment, a philosophy that has guided his work in rehabilitation.

Judge Kuhl highlighted St. Thomas More as a role model for legal professionals. She spoke about More’s decision to stand firm in his faith, even when it meant defying authority and ultimately giving his life for his principles. She also shared a lesser-known detail about More: he often wore a coarse animal hair  shirt under his judicial robes as a form of penance, emulating Christ’s suffering while cultivating joy amid adversity. His unwavering dedication to truth and integrity remains a powerful example for future generations.

The ceremony concluded with a Holy Communion Mass, during which the Eucharist was administered to its congregants. Attendees lined up reverently to receive communion from the priest. Before the event ended, Archbishop Gómez personally led the congregation out of the church and greeted each religious representative in the VIP section with a handshake, underscoring the spirit of unity and mutual respect.