The Catholic Morning Show

Why the Church Prays for Doctors and Lawyers: The White Mass and Red Mass – Very Rev. David Esquiliano – 10/22/2026

Episode Summary

Very Rev. David Esquiliano, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, shares his path from missionary dreams in southern Mexico to priesthood in Iowa, then invites health care workers to the White Mass on October 27 and those in law and government to the Red Mass on November 5.

Episode Notes

Deacon Mark Campbell welcomes Very Rev. David Esquiliano, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany, pastor of Cathedral Parish, and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Sioux City.

Fr. Esquiliano discusses:

• What "Very Reverend" means: a title that comes with certain offices in the Church, like cathedral rector and judicial vicar, not personal merit
• His vocation story: growing up in a parish in southern Mexico staffed by Irish missionaries, dreaming of mission work in Africa or Asia, and being invited instead to Sioux City, where he was ordained in 2013 and has served at the Cathedral since 2019
• The White Mass: a tradition that began in the U.S. in the 1930s, started at the Cathedral after the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to thank and pray for health care workers who were overworked and often overlooked, and a personal one for him because his grandmother was a nurse
• The Red Mass: a tradition rooted in medieval Europe that calls on the Holy Spirit to guide judges, lawyers, and lawmakers, and an especially timely prayer just after Election Day

White Mass: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City. Bishop John Keehner presides, honoring active and retired health care workers of all faith backgrounds. A reception follows in the Cathedral Hall.

Red Mass: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City, for judges, lawyers, lawmakers, and all who work in legal and governmental systems.

Resources:

• White Mass and Red Mass details
• Cathedral of the Epiphany

Hashtags #WhiteMass #RedMass #CatholicHealthCare #DioceseOfSiouxCity #SiouxCity #CatholicVocations #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio