After it’s One Million Children Praying the Rosary campaign in October, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is preparing for the launch of its second magazine of this year called Faith, Hope and Charity, which will present the work of the Church in Central and South America. In addition, ACN Canada is also busy resuming face-to-face activities as part of International Red Week, starting on Wednesday, November 17.

From ACN Canada

This will be the four year that the event is being marked in Canada.  New players have joined the list of participants who will stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world, including the largest Marian shrine in Canada, Our Lady of the Cape Shrine, in Trois-Rivières, who will illuminate the Basilica in red. More regularly updated information is available on the Red Wednesday homepage: acn-canada.org/red-wednesday/. 

In person and on Salt + Light Television

“After One Million Children Praying the Rosary for World Peace, the next activity serves to inform, raise awareness and show solidarity among Christians here in Canada, with their sisters and brothers in the faith suffering from anti-Christian persecution,” explains Marie-Claude Lalonde, director of ACN Canada.  

This year, Catholic station Salt + Light Television will provide a live broadcast of the special Mass from the Mary Queen of the World in Montreal Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. A prayer vigil from St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto will then follow at 9 p.m. “Between the Mass and the Vigil, viewers will have the opportunity to watch a documentary produced by ACN,” says Lalonde. 

“Other partners are also involved in the event,” she says. For example, Radio VM will broadcast the Mass the day after the event, on Thursday, November 18 at 7 p.m., on its entire network. “The Chœur des anges  (Choir of Angels) will accompany the Mass in Montreal with the liturgical songs with the African sound they are known for,” she explains. “Given the rise of Islamist extremism in many African countries, we thought we would imbue with the Mass their music,” explains Lalonde. 

Join a Pan-Canadian and international event!  

‘In addition, there will be building illuminations and activities organized by partners, some of whom have already confirmed their participation,’ she explains. In Thetford-Mines, Robert Lebel, who has supported Red Wednesday since its first year, is participating in the event by organizing an evening of worship and illuminating part of the ecumenical pavilion at Versant-la-Noël, beginning at 7 p.m. 
Among new participants is the sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Cap in Trois-Rivières. “It makes me particularly happy to see that year after year, new participants join Red Wednesday. Thank you for this gesture of solidarity,” says Mrs. Lalonde who also believes there are no small activities. “The important thing is to participate. Let us know, tell us what you are planning to do!” invites Mrs. Lalonde. “We are happy to advertise your own Red Wednesday activity on our homepage.” 

Please write to Valerie Vulcain, Red Wednesday 2021 coordinator: vv@acn-canada.org. Or call 1-800-585-6333, ext. 227. Let us be many to rise this Red Wednesday 2021 in a show of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in faith who are experiencing religious persecution!