THE ANNUAL Church commemoration of persecuted Christians, or Red Wednesday, is set on Nov. 26, bearing the theme “Living Hope Amid Suffering.”
Catholics from around the world will gather in various celebrations to honor Christians who were persecuted and martyred because of their faith.
Fr. Reynaldo Romero, the ecclesiastical assistant of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Philippines, the local arm of the pontifical foundation dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians, said this year’s celebration aims at uniting the Church in solidarity with its oppressed members.
“They are suffering in silence, kaya itong campaign is meant to raise our voices and be the voice of these suffering Christians. Parang tayo na rin ang magsasalita para sa kanila,” Romero, a Central Seminary alumnus, said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
ACN’s 2025 Religious Freedom Report noted that Christian persecution around the world was on the rise.
According to the document published in October, nearly 5.4 billion people, or 64.7 percent of the world’s population, live in countries with “serious or very serious violations of religious freedom.”
The report examined 196 countries and covered the period from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2024.
Romero urged Catholics to be aware of the plight of other Christians as they exercise their faith through the commemoration on Wednesday.
“They (Christians) are suffering in silence. They cannot complain; they cannot speak out because they are minorities. Hirap na hirap sila. Ino-oppress sila, hina-harrass sila. Pinapatay sila pero hindi sila makapagreklamo,” the priest said.
Prayer, information, action
Romero said ACN Philippines’s campaigns and projects revolve around the “three pillars,” guiding the organization in its efforts to help persecuted Christians.
He said prayer is vital, and Catholics must continue praying for oppressed Christians and for their oppressors as well.
He said information campaigns on persecution must be boosted to make Catholics more aware of the situation.
“Maraming Kristiyano sa buong mundo, hindi nila alam na [on] going pa rin ang persecution at mas grabe pa. [Kaya] ipinaaalam sa kanila ang pinagdaraanan ng mga kapatid nating Kristiyano para maantig ang puso [nila] at gumawa din ng paraan para makatulong,” he added.
ACN Philippines pursues projects that raise funds to support persecuted Christians in other countries, through ACN International based in Germany.
Local celebrations
In a circular released on Nov. 12, the Archdiocese of Manila instructed churches to hold votive Masses for persecuted Christians on Wednesday.
It also requested churches, schools, and other participating institutions to illuminate or decorate their façades in red.
The laity are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of martyrdom to commemorate the persecuted and martyred.
There will also be a second collection dedicated to the projects of ACN Philippines during Red Wednesday Masses.
According to a circular released by the secretary general, the University will commemorate the event with a Mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church, followed by the tolling of bells in front of the Church.
The Main Building, the Thomasian Martyrs’ Monument, the Arch of the Centuries, and the façade of the Santísimo Rosario Parish will be illuminated in red.
A Red Wednesday forum will also be held at the Tan Yan Kee Auditorium.
