From November 18 to 24, the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) celebrates REDWEEK 2024, a week of awareness, information, and prayer for persecuted Christians worldwide. This international event highlights the persecution of Christians by lighting more than 20 emblematic monuments in Spain in red, such as the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, the Almudena Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheatre of Tarragona and the Basilica of Covadonga, among others. More than 115 parishes in 30 dioceses will also join in, illuminating their facades in a symbolic act to remember those Christians who suffer and give their lives for their faith.
A global movement with more than 1,000 illuminated buildings
REDWEEK takes place not only in Spain but is celebrated in more than 20 countries worldwide, with more than 1,000 illuminated buildings, including the Houses of Parliament in Westminster in London and the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur in Paris. This awareness-raising campaign has grown over the years and, from what began as a day of solidarity, has become an international movement that includes prayer vigils, conferences, testimonies, and exhibitions. This edition also includes the premiere of the immersive exhibition The Beauty of Martyrdom, which collects stories of Christians suffering persecution in Africa, Pakistan, and Libya.
Testimonies and prayers for persecuted Christians
José María Gallardo, director of ACN Spain, explained that the objective of the campaign is to convey a clear message: “We do not forget our brothers who suffer for the faith.” In this sense, prayers and activities are organized to support those who are suffering and defend the right to religious freedom throughout the world. In addition, the report Persecuted and Forgotten offers an analysis of the situation of the Christian community in countries where religious freedom is seriously threatened, such as Saudi Arabia, China, Iran and Syria.
More information about REDWEEK
The campaign also presents the documentary Heroes of Faith, which collects testimonies of current martyrdom in Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, highlighting the lives of people such as the priest Ragheed Ganni, murdered in Mosul by jihadists, and who is currently in the process of beatification.
In addition, young people from Hakuna will join REDWEEK with a special prayer at all its prayer meetings and holy hours, reinforcing awareness of Christian persecution on the five continents.
For more information about REDWEEK, visit the official website, www.redweek.es.
List of buildings that will be lit in red during REDWEEK 2024:
- Barcelona: Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
- Madrid: Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena
- Albacete: Church of the Savior, La Roda
- Murcia: Basilica of the Purísima, Yecla
- Murcia: Monastery of the Jerónimos, headquarters of the UCAM
- Jaén: Cathedral of the Assumption
- Valladolid: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
- Zaragoza: Basilica of Santa Engracia
- Tarragona: Roman Amphitheatre
- Covadonga: Basilica of Covadonga
- Getafe: Monument to the Sacred Heart, Cerro de los Ángeles
- Córdoba: Monument to the Sacred Heart of Las Ermitas
- Logroño: Co-Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda
- Palencia: Cristo del Otero
- Jerez de la Frontera: Cathedral of Our Lord San Salvador
And many more.
May this awareness week help us to unite in prayer for those who suffer and to remember that their courage inspires us to defend religious freedom throughout the world.
