2024 Red Wednesday Mass

11/23/2024

On Red Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024, hundreds came together at St. Mary’s Cathedral for a solemn Mass with Bishop McGrattan, showing their solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. The Cathedral had a special glow that night, with many people wearing red—a sign of courage, sacrifice, and unity.

The international Catholic aid organization, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), leads this annual global initiative to bring attention to the plight of Christians who face persecution, oppression, and violence. Across the world, iconic churches, cathedrals, and public buildings are illuminated in red, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made for our faith. Bishop McGrattan echoed this message during the gathering, reminding everyone that this is “not a pious act tonight... but truly an act of reparation that unites us in solidarity with all who are persecuted because of their Christian faith.”

The Sacred Heart of Christ and the call to love

In his homily, Bishop McGrattan thoughtfully brought forward the themes of Red Wednesday alongside Pope Francis’ latest apostolic exhortation, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us). He reflected on the Sacred Heart of Christ as a profound symbol of both divine and human love—a love that flows from Christ’s heart and calls the Church to embody that same love in solidarity with those who suffer.

“Over the ruins accumulated by hatred and violence, the greatly desired civilization of love in the kingdom of the Heart of Christ can be built by our love,” Bishop McGrattan said. His words encouraged the faithful to reflect deeply on their role in bringing about goodness and truth in a fractured world.

Drawing on Pope Francis’ exhortation, the Bishop highlighted the importance of living out this devotion in practical ways. He emphasized Pope Francis’ warning against the “over-spiritualization” of devotion, urging the community to embody Christ’s love through concrete acts of service, reparation, and solidarity. “What worship would we give to Christ if we were to rest, content with an individual relationship with him and show no interest in relieving the suffering of others or helping them to live a better life?” the Bishop challenged.

Living out the call of love

The Mass included heartfelt prayers for those who endure unimaginable challenges because of their faith. Intentions were lifted for Christians unable to practice freely, for those risking their lives to proclaim the Gospel, and for those held hostage or imprisoned for refusing to renounce their beliefs.

In his closing remarks, the Bishop reflected on the enduring importance of solidarity: “The Heart of Christ desires that we cooperate with him in restoring goodness, truth, and beauty to our world.”

An evening of prayer, solidarity, and fellowship

Our celebration continued with a reception in the parish hall, where the Chaldean Catholic Church delighted us with a performance by their children’s choir and hearty refreshments among our spread of sandwiches. The planning committee’s worries about running out of food quickly turned into relief and gratitude as the hall buzzed with joy, laughter, and plenty to share.

Bishop McGrattan also continued to spend the evening connecting with parishioners, engaging in meaningful conversations that reflected the spirit of Dilexit Nos. The connections and insights sparked that evening will bear fruit, with some stories set to be featured in future editions of Faithfully—stay tuned!

Red Wednesday is more than a day of remembrance; it is a call to live out our faith through acts of reparation, solidarity, and hope for a world united in love. Echoing Pope Francis' invitation, devotion to the Sacred Heart should not remain confined to personal piety but must inspire transformative actions that impact society.

As the evening concluded, the message was clear: our faith calls us not only to prayer but also to renewed action—to be a Church of encounter and witness, extending Christ’s heart, love, and care to those in need.