The Catholic church all over the country commemorated “Red Wednesday” on November 25.
That night, all church’s edifices, including the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral of the Capiz Archdiocese, were illuminated in red light, a color that the Church associates with martyrdom.
Aside from remembering the persecuted Christians, this year’s commemoration was dedicated to praying for the country as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll.
“Red Wednesday” is a global event to remember those who cannot practice their faith freely throughout the world. It was first organized in the United Kingdom in 2016. The Philippines joined the campaign the following year.
In January this year, the Philippine bishops’ conference officially institutionalized the annual celebration of “Red Wednesday” in all dioceses.
This year’s commemoration was anchored on the theme “Red means love: One Church against COVID-19.”
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of Aid to the Church in Need Philippines, said: “Undeniably, we live in a difficult time wherein hope seems so far away…faith may weaken…and love hard to be found.”
He added that the celebration aims to rekindle hope amid “darkness.”
Perhaps this is one way of telling us, that as long as we’re alive, there is always hope. And we have to hold on to that hope.
Hope is always a good thing.*
