Red Wednesday 2023

ACN would like to thank all the Cathedrals/parishes who participated in Red Wednesday in 2022!

What is Red Wednesday?

Red Wednesday is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to pray for, and draw attention to, Christians who suffer and are persecuted for their faith. Notre Dame in Paris; the British Houses of Parliament and the Colosseum in Rome, are some of the landmarks that have participated by lighting their facades in red. Since 2018, ACN Australia has joined commemorations around the world for Red Wednesday. Several Australian dioceses have participated in recent years including Sydney, Borken Bay, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga and Perth.  This year Red Wednesday will be held on Wednesday 22 November.

Red Wednesday - Ways to get involved

Events: Many churches and Cathedrals in Australia, and throughout the world, will be lighting up in red and holding an event to commemorate Red Wednesday. 

Dress: Wear something red, or a red ribbon, on Wednesday 22 November to raise awareness of those persecuted for their faith. Take a photo of yourself wearing red and share it on social media with the hashtag #RedWednesday 

 Pray: Prayer is the bond that unites us in love and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who suffer and are persecuted for their love of Jesus. Join us in praying throughout November for persecuted Christians. You may also want to offer a Mass for suffering Christians 100% of Mass offerings are sent to poor priests who will celebrate Mass for your prayer intentions.

Awareness: The persecution of Christians is too often ignored. You can change this by knowing the stories of those who suffer and making those stories known. Join our mailing list to receive our regular newsletter (via post or email), follow us on social media and share our content. #RedWednesday.

Donate: By making a donation to Aid to the Church in Need you are helping us to fund projects that support Christians that are being persecuted, oppressed or suffering. Each year we receive 7500 requests from around the world but we can only help with about 5000 requests due to a lack of funds. If you would prefer to make a donation over the phone you can call: 1800 101 201 during business hours. To donate to ACN use the donation form below. 

Fundraise: From morning teas, to marathons, to garage sales, to movie nights, to raffles, to bake sales. There is no shortage of creative ways one can raise support and raise funds for Christians in need. What can you come up with?

Red Boxes: You can request to receive a church-shaped 'poor box' to use in your parish or school which can be distributed to encourage spiritual and material offerings across the month of November. To order red boxes call 1800 101 201.

Watch this video of Archbishop Charles Balvo, Papal Nuncio to Australia, share his recollections of Red Wednesday in other nations.

To help ACN in our mission to keep the Faith alive and help persecuted Christians please support us in this Red Wednesday initiative.