Wed, Nov 23
|St. Mark's Parish, UBC
Gold Mass
Annual Gold Mass for scientists and friends with reception to follow in Plato's Cave
Time & Location
Nov 23, 2022, 12:10 p.m.
St. Mark's Parish, UBC, 5935 Iona Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 2L4, Canada
About the event
See past coverage in the BC Catholic
Students, researchers honour the ‘Ultimate Scientist’ (2018)
Science can be ‘fun puzzles’ set by God, and a religious experience (2022)
General informaton from https://catholicscientists.org/gold-masses/
The Society of Catholic Scientists sponsors Gold Masses for Scientists. This follows in the tradition of special Masses for members of particular professions. The oldest, the Red Mass for lawyers and lawmakers, was introduced in the 13th century. The first White Mass for health care professionals and Blue Mass for law enforcement personnel were begun in the 1930s. By promoting Gold Masses for Scientists around the world, SCS hopes to create spiritual fellowship among Catholic scientists, science educators and science students at the local level.
Gold Masses are usually Votive Masses in honor of St. Albert the Great (patron saint of natural science), and use the readings and propers for his feast day (November 15).
Gold Masses are meant to be regional events, bringing together Catholics from that region who are or have been involved with science, including scientists, retired or former scientists, science teachers at college, high school or grade school level, science graduate students, undergraduate science majors, and advanced high school students interested in science. (By “science”, we mean more generally STEM areas, i.e. in mathematics, computer science, biomedical research, etc.) Often, the homilist at the mass is a priest or deacon who is a scientist or has some science background, though that is not necessary. In some cases the bishop may agree to preside. After a Gold Mass there is normally a simple reception, with snacks, where those who attended the Mass can meet and socialize with each other. The hope is that these Gold Masses will help foster the development of local communities and networks of Catholics involved with science. Such communities and networks, in turn, may lead to collaborations on various projects, such as study groups and public lectures, or Catholic scientists visiting classes in Catholic schools.