Six Supreme Court justices, two Cabinet members and Vice President Joe Biden were on hand along with dozens of other judges and public officials Sunday at the traditional Roman Catholic Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in D.C., the unofficial start to the Supreme Court’s fall season, Legal Times reports.

The tradition of the “Red Mass” was begun by Pope Innocent IV in 1243 for the Ecclesial Judicial Court asking the Invocation of the Holy Spirit as a source of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude and strength for the coming term of the court. The color red signifies the Holy Spirit and Martyrdom. St. Thomas More is the Patron of Lawyers.

Denver’s Red Mass will be Oct. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica, Denver. All judges, lawyers and law professionals are invited to attend. Judges are invited to vest in their judicial robes and participate in the entrance procession of the Mass. They are asked to register with the Office of Liturgy at (303) 715-3156 or by emailing John.Miller@archden.org.