The Catholic Lawyers Guild is an association of Catholic lawyers officially recognized by the Archdiocese of Chicago. We support Catholic lawyers in applying their faith to the challenges of professional and personal life. As well as assist the Cardinal Archbishop in his works of charity and other community projects.

The Guild has given scholarships to Catholic law schools. In the fall of the year, the Guild sponsors the Annual Red Mass at the Holy Name Cathedral in honor of St. Thomas More and St. Ives, patron saints of the legal profession, to mark the opening of the law courts, and to ask for divine guidance in the proper representation of clients and in the proper administration of justice in the courts and in public offices.

Throughout the year the Guild sponsors luncheon meetings at which speakers discuss topics of current legal and religious interests.

Each year the Guild also honors an individual for his outstanding contribution as a Catholic lawyer.

The Guild offers its legal service in an advisory capacity to the Archdiocese of Chicago with respect to any problems which may occur of current nature. An example of this was work done by certain members of the Guild in researching the tax-free status of real estate owned by the Church.

The annual Lawyer's Retreat is held usually on Palm Sunday of each year, at the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana). The female members attend a retreat about the same time at The Cenacle (Chicago, Illinois).

One of the rewarding activities of the Catholic Lawyers Guild is the legal assistance volunteered by members to the various Catholic agencies in the Archdiocese. 1962 was a record year, more than 500 cases were handled to completion. The Cardinal's Committee for Spanish Speaking People, Catholic Charities office, Council of Catholic Women, individual parishes, and many other agencies rely on the Guild for assistance in a varied assortment of legal problems, especially in relation to marriage and matters with a religious implication. In response to Cardinal Strich's Spanish Speaking People's Program, the Guild maintained four offices in different areas of the city with members donating two nights a week to help these people with their legal problems. Now all cases are referred to the Guild after the offices to which the requests are made have satisfied themselves that these people are in financial need; requests must not be made through the offices and not directly to the Guild.