Ruby Peters Honored at Red Mass

The Red Mass, a centuries-old tradition dating back to the 13th century, is celebrated annually to honor members of the legal profession. This year, the Diocese of St. Augustine held the Red Mass on Nov. 6 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Jacksonville. This special liturgy gathers judges, lawyers, law students, and officials to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and offers the legal community an opportunity to reflect on the power and responsibility of all in the legal profession.

Following the Mass, the Catholic Lawyers Guild presented the prestigious Law and Spirituality Award to Ruby Peters, recognizing her dedication as the Human Trafficking Educator for the Catholic Charities Bureau and her compassionate work for justice.

Ruby Peters, a cradle Catholic, finds her faith deeply intertwined with her work. “Incorporating my spirituality into my work is essential,” she shared. “As a Catholic, I can’t separate my faith from what I do. Even when presenting this heavy subject to different audiences, I try to give them hope. Everyone can play a role in combating human trafficking.” For Peters, the award was both unexpected and deeply meaningful. “It’s an honor I never anticipated, but I’m grateful for this recognition,” she said.

Peters serves as an Education Committee Chair and Ambassador for the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition, tirelessly working to raise awareness. Florida ranks third in the nation for calls to the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline due to various factors that make individuals vulnerable to exploitation for both sex and labor. “We work hard to educate the community so they can recognize and report trafficking. Awareness is crucial to making life harder for traffickers,” she said.

In her efforts, Peters collaborates with more than 120 organizations through the Coalition, which includes law enforcement, social services and legal professionals, all committed to ending human trafficking. Her presentations cover critical prevention techniques, such as recognizing red flags and understanding the risks of online exploitation. Peters has even co-produced an educational video for youth, titled Human Trafficking: How Did I Not Know About This?, available on YouTube and the Diocese’s website.

A proud wife, mother and grandmother, Peters credits her family for their unwavering support and inspiration. Her daughters, both nurses, provided valuable insights from their protocols on human trafficking and domestic violence, and her son Joe, a filmmaker, helped produce the video to expand awareness. Peters is incredibly grateful for those like Nancy O’Byrne and Fr. Greg Fay, who encouraged her work and broadened her understanding of social justice.

Peters calls on each of us to help combat human trafficking in practical ways: educating ourselves and young people about trafficking signs, promoting online safety, supporting local anti-trafficking organizations, and praying for both victims and traffickers. She also challenges us to reject the culture that fuels trafficking.

In addition to celebrating Peters at the Red Mass, attendees are encouraged to join the upcoming annual gathering hosted by the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition on Jan. 14, 2025, at Baptist Hospital’s DuPont Auditorium. This year’s event will focus on vulnerable populations and includes a special presentation by Marina Anderson, Statewide Human Trafficking Training Specialist. Registration is open to all interested in learning more about the fight against human trafficking.

Click here to register. This gathering offers a unique opportunity to learn and become part of a growing community dedicated to protecting the vulnerable in Northeast Florida.