Night of the Witnesses 2023

We are excited to inform you that Night of the Witnesses – a night to remember and pray for the persecuted Church, and to hear testimonies from three international speakers about their personal experiences of persecution – will be held in Melbourne in November. 

With its origins at Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur Cathedrals in Paris over 15 years ago, Night of the Witnesses is now a regular feature in cities around the world including Madrid, London, Washington D.C. and Krakow.  Here in Australia, our first Night of the Witnesses was held in 2022 in the nation’s capital, Canberra. 

Details:

Presider:  Archbishop Peter Comensoli

Night of the Witnesses 2023

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne

Wednesday 22 November 2023

7.00 pm – 8.30 pm

International Guest Speakers:

His Beatitude, Patriarch Joseph Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church - Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and all the East

Mr Xavier Bisits, ACN Head of Projects, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt 

Sr Majella Dogonyaro OP, Dominican Sister, Northern Nigeria

What is Night of the Witnesses?

Night of the Witnesses is an evening to remember, to pray and to be inspired by the witness of twelve recent Christian martyrs and to stand in solidarity with Christians all over the world who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. 

 A procession of images of these twelve men and women from countries such as Nigeria, Iraq and the Philippines will coincide with a brief reading of their stories. Visiting guest speakers will then share their personal experiences of Christian persecution and stories of faithful witness amidst persecution.

Remembering the persecuted Church through these martyrs gives us pause to reflect on the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Gospel to change the world that we are called to be witnesses in. It is an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our own Christian witness and perhaps to ask the Lord for the grace and courage to be His bright light in a world so desperate for hope.  

Please continue to pray for persecuted Christians.

We hope to see you at Night of the Witnesses in November!

Watch a 2 minute video on the Night of the Witnesses