Red Wednesday 2019

This Wednesday, Nov. 20, sixty-five Roman Catholic parishes in Southern Alberta will participate in Red Wednesday by illuminating the façade of their churches, hosting a mass, wearing red or praying a rosary. Red Wednesday is a day dedicated to drawing attention to persecuted Christians around the world. 
Aid to the Church in Need - Canada, the national organizing body, indicates that approximately 327 million Christians live in a country where Christians are persecuted. Persecution varies across countries and regions, ranging from increased risk of harassment by civil authorities to arrest, torture and even death.
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• Red Wednesday events in the Diocese of Calgary
• Red Wednesday prayers and other resources can be found at https://acn-canada.org/red-wednesday/ 
  • Prayers for Persecuted Christian. Download. 
  • Prayers of the Faithful (Mass for Persecuted Christians). Download.
• Statement on the Persecution of Christians (English | French) 

“Many of our Catholic parishioners within the Diocese were victims in their countries of origin,” says Theodoric Nowak, Director of Social Justice & Outreach Ministry. “So, it is important to all of us in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary to participate in this event and to raise awareness of those who are persecuted for their belief in Jesus.”

Last year, the Diocese hosted over 75 per cent of the national events for Red Wednesday. Aside from the churches, some Catholic schools, religious communities and community organizations will show their solidarity on Wednesday. Since 2015, the Diocese of Calgary, through its partnership with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, has sponsored over 2,263 refugees without regard for religiosity or creed. Many of these refugees have either experienced religious persecution themselves or borne witness to hatred against religious groups.

Aid to the Church in Need Canada: http://acn-canada.org/
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