The 57th Annual Red Mass
In Honor of Saint Thomas More
For the members of the Bench, Bar and Public Office
Friday, October 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Christ Our Shepherd Center
2900 Seminary Drive
Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601
Lunch immediately following.
Keynote Speaker
The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, JCL
Bishop of Erie
The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, Bishop of Erie, is a native of Monessen and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Greensburg in 1977 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. After studies at Saint Pius X Seminary and Saint Vincent Seminary, he earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America.
During his years of ministry in the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop Persico served in numerous roles, including tribunal judge, Chancellor, Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, and Pastor of Saint James Parish in New Alexandria. He also served for many years with the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, including as the Bishop’s Representative to its Administrative Board and later as Vice President.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Persico the tenth Bishop of Erie on July 31, 2012, and he was ordained and installed on October 1 of that year. In addition to his episcopal ministry in Erie, he has continued to serve the wider Church through numerous leadership roles. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, the Board of Regents of Saint Vincent Seminary, and the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, and serves as Chair of the Gannon University Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1983.
As the Diocese of Greensburg celebrates its 75th anniversary, Bishop Persico’s return for the Red Mass carries particular significance. His vocation was nurtured here, and much of his priestly ministry was spent in service to the Diocese. His presence during this anniversary year offers a fitting opportunity to welcome home a son of the Diocese whose ministry has extended far beyond Greensburg while remaining deeply rooted in the Church that first formed and sent him forth.
About The Red Mass
The Red Mass has a long history within the Catholic Church dating back to the thirteenth century when it marked the official opening of the new term for courts in most European countries.
The Red Mass is currently celebrated throughout the United States to invoke God’s blessings upon the members of the bench, bar, legislature, law enforcement and governmental agencies — all protectors and administrators of the Law. The Diocese of Greensburg and Saint Vincent Archabbey, College and Seminary have jointly sponsored the Red Mass in this Diocese since 1968.
The Red Mass is attended by judges, lawyers, political leaders, and officials of all faiths who come together to ask God to bless, strengthen and enlighten them as servants of the Law so that, in cooperation and mutual trust, they may more effectively pursue justice and freedom for all.
