Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is a Papal Foundation that supports 6,000 communities in 140 countries, dedicated to providing pastoral and humanitarian support to persecuted Christians around the world.
An important part of the work of ACN is to highlight those often-forgotten Christian communities who are persecuted or discriminated against because of their faith in Christ.
Today, 360 million Christians live under active persecution.
We are asked to show solidarity with persecuted Christians and become more aware of their pastoral and
material needs.
As a papal charity serving the Holy Father’s mission to the most vulnerable, ACN is committed to supporting the
faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in need so that Christianity can thrive everywhere.
An important part of… ACN’s work is their annual ‘Week of Witness’ campaign which takes place every
November. This year it runs from 17th to the 24th November, with the special day of ‘Red Wednesday’ taking place on the 20th November.
Red is the colour that has been traditionally associated with martyrs, those courageous men and women who refused to deny Christ and shed their blood in defence of their faith.
The colour ‘red’ also points us to the Holy Spirit. Red vestments are worn on Pentecost Sunday and whenever the sacrament of Confirmation is being administered. This is very appropriate as the word ‘martyr’ means ‘witness’ and it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the courage to witness.
As an act of solidarity, we are asked to wear a red item of clothing, such as a jumper or scarf on Red Wednesday.
For more resources, prayers and information, please see the following links:
ACN Week of Witness Letter 2024
ACN Week of Witness Leaflet 2024
Letter from ACN Ireland National Director
