WASHINGTON — Those attending the 66th annual Red Mass in Washington Sept. 30 paused from news coverage of the Supreme Court vacancy, and instead prayerfully sought God's blessing on all those involved in government positions, the law profession and the administration of justice.

"I think the Holy Spirit was in the church — in fact, I know the Holy Spirit was in the church," said Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi following the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. The priest is chaplain of the John Carroll Society, a Catholic group of professional men and women that sponsored the Mass.

"Could there not be a better time, both in our church and nation, to benefit from the healing power of the Holy Spirit?" Msgr. Vaghi asked during his homily. "It is a power that treats the anger and divisions that so need the healing touch of our God if we are to continue our respective missions with love — a genuine love for each other — with effectiveness."

The priest noted the need to call on the Holy Spirit's renewal at a difficult time for the country and the archdiocese.

And while Msgr. Vaghi chose not to specifically name the issues causing the division, participants at the Mass entered the cathedral walking past protesters, some of whom attended the Mass.

In testimony at a Senate hearing three days earlier, Christine Blasey Ford alleged that Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a nominee to serve as a Supreme Court justice, had sexually assaulted her while the two were students at local high schools 36 years ago.

During the hearing, Kavanaugh strongly denied the allegation and other claims of sexual misconduct as a high school or college student, saying he had never assaulted anyone in his life. Kavanaugh, a Catholic, who is a member of the John Carroll Society, was not seen at the Red Mass.

Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl did not attend the Mass. Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville represented the archdiocese as principal celebrant at the Mass, celebrated each year on eve of the opening of the Supreme Court's new term.

Bishop Dorsonville called on all those at the Mass to search out truth, unity, and prayer in "times of turbulence" for all to achieve justice.

In his homily, Msgr. Vaghi said: "The Spirit comes — if you will — with the tenderness of a true friend and protector, to save, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console, to renew, to heal."

Now in his 32nd year as chaplain of the John Carroll Society, Msgr. Vaghi called on the Holy Spirit to move the faithful into being "men and women of justice, compassion, boundless mercy and joy in our respective vocations."

The priest prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the faithful in their work as members of the legal profession and in government service. The Mass attendees included John Roberts, chief justice of the United States; Associate Justices Clarence Thomas and Stephen Breyer; and Anthony Kennedy, the court's recently retired associate justice.

Other officials in attendance included: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions; members of Congress; John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University; John Garvey, president of The Catholic University of America; and deans and students from area law schools.

Joining Bishop Dorsonville as concelebrants were: Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States; Washington Auxiliary Bishops Roy E. Campbell and Bishop Michael W. Fisher; Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and retired Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington; and 17 priests.

Mumola writes for the Catholic Standard, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.