The Papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will mark November 23 this year as “Red Wednesday” in remembrance of and as a day of prayer for persecuted Christians.
“Red is a very important symbol for us Christians,” said Msgr. Pedro Gerardo Santos, ACN chief operating officer in the Philippines.
He said the color “symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit, symbolizes the power of love, symbolizes the blood of martyrs.”
The country’s Catholic parishes and institutions are invited to join churches around the world in the annual observance with the theme “Blessed are the Persecuted.”
“Everyone is welcome as we pray and stand in solidarity for Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ,” said ACN Philippines in a social media post.
Msgr. Santos urged parishes and Church institutions — churches, schools — to illuminate or decorate in red their facades.
ACN is the official papal charity for persecuted Christians worldwide with at least 23 offices around the world and one of them is in the Philippines.
“Where there is violence and terror, ACN aids and materially responds to the call of the mission to promote ecclesial and spiritual communion between those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who possess a compassionate and generous heart,” said Msgr. Santos.
“Red Wednesday” was first organized in the United Kingdom in 2016. The Philippines started joining the campaign in 2017.
In January 2020, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared “Red Wednesday” as an official church activity in the country.
