The Rose Mass

With the celebration of each Rose Mass, the John Carroll Society continues a tradition begun in 1992. Named the “Rose Mass,” it takes place annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent (“Laetare Sunday”), a Sunday when the vestments worn by the celebrant are rose-colored. The rose has also come to symbolize “life,” whose precious care is entrusted to the healing professions.

The Rose Mass is organized to invoke God’s blessings on the medical, dental, nursing and allied workers and the many health care institutions in the Archdiocese of Washington. In addition, the Mass provides an opportunity to acknowledge in special fashion the splendid work of the volunteers of the Catholic Charities Health Care Network and a priest or religious involved in the health care ministry. This Network is composed of a multitude of dedicated workers of all religious persuasions infused with an ecumenical spirit in their care of the sick. The Rose Mass also provides an opportunity to give thanks for all the work of the many priests, religious and lay people involved in health care related ministry.

Previous Rose Masses

To read an article about the 2021 Rose Mass in the Catholic Standard, please click here.

An article on the 2021 Rose Mass that published in El Pregonero is available here. To view a recording of Cardinal Gregory's homily from the 2021 Rose Mass, click here. To view a recording of the entire 2021 Rose Mass, click here.

The 2021 Rose Mass Luncheon and Pro Bono Health Care Award Ceremony.
Gathered after the Rose Mass are Eileen Moore, MD (Rose Mass Chair), Sr. Romana Uzodimma (Program Manager, Catholic Charities Health Care Network), Charles D. Dietrich, DDS (JCS Pro Bono Health Care Award recipient), Rev. Raymond Nwabueze, OP (Msgr. Harry Echle Award for Outstanding Service in Health Care Ministry recipient), Alan J. Kronthal, MD (representing the Radiology Department of Sibley Memorial Hospital, JCS Pro Bono Health Care Award recipient), and Jeffrey Paravano (JCS President).

Not pictured are JCS Pro Bono Health Care Award recipients Elizabeth Timbrook Brown, MD, MPH and George A. Patterson, III, MD; and Cardinal Hickey Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Paul Melluzzo, MD.

The 2019 Rose Mass Luncheon and Pro Bono Health Care Award Ceremony.
Gathered at the luncheon following the 2019 Rose Mass are His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl; Dr. Robert G. Donahue (awardee); Carol Bates (JCS President); Dr. Stephen P. Tigani (awardee); Dr. Sunnie Kim (awardee); Dr. Angus B. Worthing (awardee); Dr. Melanie Buttross (Rose Mass Committee Chair); Rev. Klaus J. Sirianni (awardee); and Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi (JCS Chaplain).

To read the homily from the 2019 Rose Mass, delivered by His Excellency, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, please click here.

The 2018 Rose Mass Luncheon and Pro Bono Health Care Award Ceremony.
Gathered at the luncheon following the 2018 Rose Mass are Dr. Vikram V. Nayar (awardee); Carol Bates (JCS President); Dr. Pouneh Razavi (accepting on behalf of awardee, The Imaging Center of the Sullivan Breast Center); His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl; Rev. Tesfamarian Baraki (awardee); Dr. Christopher J. Cannova (awardee); Dr. Mark R. Abbruzzese (awardee); Dr. Melanie Buttross (Rose Mass Committee Chair); Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi (JCS Chaplain); and Dr. Gayatri S. Reilly (awardee).

The 2017 Rose Mass Luncheon and Pro Bono Health Care Award Ceremony.
Gathered at the luncheon following the 2017 Rose Mass are award winners Elizabeth Brown, R.N. and Sr. Elizabeth Ann Lingg, D.C. (both seated); award winner Joseph Giere, M.D.; Bishop Mario Dorsonville (Rose Mass Homilist); award winners Thomas Winkler, M.D., David Moss, M.D., and Ali Fassihi, D.D.S.; Msgr. Peter Vaghi (JCS Chaplain); Thomas Loughney, M.D. (JCS President), and Maureen O'Donnell DeBritz, M.D. (Rose Mass Committee Chair).

Rose Mass Gallery


Rose Mass Video

2021 Rose Mass Video