St Thomas More Society of San Francisco to present Father Louie Vitale, co-founder of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, with annual award.

The Red Mass

The St. Thomas More Society sponsors the annual Red Mass and dinner, at which the Society presents the St. Thomas More Award to one who exemplifies the ideals of service and sacrifice in the pursuit of justice so conspicuously reflected in the life and death of St. Thomas More. The Red Mass continues a tradition begun by English barristers and judges in the 13th century of offering prayers to the Holy Spirit that all men and women in the legal profession, the judiciary and the public life be blessed with wisdom and understanding. Red vestments are traditionally worn at the Mass to commemorate the scarlet robes of the Lord High Justices.

2006 St. Thomas More Award Recipient - Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM.

The Executive Committee is extremely proud to announce that our unanimously selected 2006 St. Thomas More Award recipient is Fr. Louie Vitale, OFM. Fr. Vitale is a retired U.S. Airforce Officer and pilot who served in the Korean War. He retired from the armed services to follow a different calling and in 1963 was ordained a Franciscan priest. Fr. Vitale served as provincial of the Santa Barbara and California Franciscan provinces for 9 years. Most recently he served as pastor of St. Boniface parish in San Francisco for 13 years, leaving that position just last year. With the Gubbio Project he founded, Fr. Vitale made St. Boniface Church into a sanctuary for the homeless in the Tenderloin of San Francisco. Fr. Vitale has worked domestically and internationally for over five decades as an activist for the homeless, for human rights, and for peace and non-violence. He participated heavily in the United Farmworkers Movement in the 60’s and 70’s and has worked on national welfare rights campaigns. He had experience with human rights delegations in the 1980’s in Central America and is a member of Religious Witness for the Homeless. Fr. Vitale is a co-founder of two organizations: the Nevada Desert Experience, a faith-based anti-nuclear group, and Pace e Bene, a nonprofit organization which is dedicated to non-violent living, service and action. Currently, Fr. Vitale is a very active staff member with Pace e Bene working as a non-violent peace activist, mentor and advocate for non-violent living. He has worked tirelessly for a world without war and injustice. Fr. Vitale is truly a remarkable person. His impressive service to his faith is inspirational and is truly an example of many of the ideals propounded by our patron St. Thomas More. Mark you calendars. We will honor Fr. Vital at our annual Red Mass and Dinner on Thursday, October 19, 2006.

October 19, 2006 - Red Mass starts at 5:30 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church with the Archbishop of San Francisco, George H. Niederauer, D.D., Ph.D, acting as our Principal Celebrant and Homilist. Mass is followed by cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.