On September 10, Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal presided over the Red Mass in the chapel of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. On this occasion, those working in the field of justice were invited to rediscover the depth of their vocation and the responsibility entrusted to them within society.

Drawing inspiration from the Gospel passage regarding "salt of the earth" and "light of the world," Archbishop Lépine noted that serving justice is not merely about practicing a profession or championing causes. It also involves helping to build a society where every person can believe there is a place to turn when seeking truth and justice.

A vocation in the service of justice

For Archbishop Lépine, the pursuit of justice can be understood as a true vocation. It entails seeking the truth, defending what is right, and contributing—through one’s work—to fostering trust within society.

"When there is no one to serve justice, what remains of a society?" he asked in his homily.

In his view, the very existence of individuals and institutions dedicated to the pursuit of justice is a significant sign. It affirms that justice matters and that those who feel they have been victims of injustice can hope to find a place where their situation will be heard and where they can seek redress.

Serving justice, therefore, also means helping to give meaning and vitality to life in common. A society where people can trust in justice is a society that nurtures hope.

"You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world."

Drawing on the Gospel image of salt, Bishop Lépine reflected on what it means to give "flavor" to the world.

From the perspective of justice, a world with flavor is one where people can believe in justice—where they know there are places and people to turn to when a situation becomes difficult.

This mission takes on particular importance during times when life becomes trying. Illness, loneliness, failure, or other hardships can sometimes cause one to lose the zest for life. An injustice left unaddressed can also be deeply distressing.

In this context, working for justice also means working for the "zest for life": the desire to live in a society where one can hope to be heard, accompanied, and supported in the pursuit of justice.

Persevering when justice takes time

The pursuit of justice is, however, a demanding path. It requires energy, patience, perseverance, and wisdom. It can also become a source of exhaustion for those who dedicate their lives to it.

How, then, can one continue to nourish this thirst for justice? How can one maintain confidence and find the strength to persevere in one’s commitment when results are slow to appear?

For Archbishop Lépine, this question leads directly to the source of the Christian faith.

"When we are weary from a lack of energy, when we feel we can go no further because the task demands patience and perseverance, we must go to the source: Jesus Christ is that source," he reminded the congregation.
 

Christ: the source of justice, truth, and peace

At the heart of his homily, Archbishop Lépine invited those present to recognize Jesus Christ not merely as an ideal of justice, goodness, or peace, but as their source.

In Jesus Christ, he noted, justice, truth, goodness, and peace are not simply goals to aspire to; they are a reality waiting to be embraced.

Christian life thus becomes a relationship with Christ, who comes to meet each person to transform them inwardly and give them the strength to become, in turn, a source of goodness in the world around them.

This transformation occurs notably through grace, which purifies the heart and enables the person to live increasingly in justice, goodness, and peace.

Being a witness oneself

In conclusion, Archbishop Lépine returned to the Gospel call to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." He invited those committed to the service of justice to recognize their vocation as a concrete way of bearing witness to Christian hope. Their professional commitment becomes a witness and a testament to a society where justice is sought, where truth matters, and where every person can hope to be heard.

Nurtured by a relationship with Christ, this vocation to justice can then become a source of confidence and hope for others.

"What kind of witness? Yours is a good one," noted Bishop Lépine, inviting everyone to let their lives bear witness to truth, goodness, justice, and peace.


Joanne Dorcé
Content Manager and Assistant Director,
Communications Department
Archdiocese of Montreal