Coptic Chritians beheaded by ISIS Christian Today photo
Circular No. 17-07
March 17, 2017
To All The Bishops and The Diocesan Administrators
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies & Reverend Administrators,
RE: AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED
At the Permanent Council meeting last March 13, 2017, the body approved the request of the AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED to observe November 6 this year as the National Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. The Votive Mass for Persecuted Christians found in the Roman Missal may be used at all the Masses on November 6 nationwide. Enclosed is an ANGELUS Prayer for Persecuted Christians that you are also requested to disseminate among the Christian faithful.
Furthermore, the Council approved the request for the observance of RED WEDNESDAY on November 22. On Red Wednesday, you are requested to light all the cathedral, national shrines and minor basilicas within your ecclesiastical jurisdiction with Red Lights to remember the blood of martyrs and the faithful who have been killed for the Christian faith. Through this project, we hope that our Catholic faithful will be more sensitive to the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
We entrust these matters for your consideration and implementation as a sign of communion in faith with our persecuted brethren.
Sincerely yours,
Rev. Fr. Marvin S. Mejia
Secretary General, CBCP
Angelus Prayer For Persecuted Christians
Leader: This Child will be a sign that will be contradicted
People: And your heart will be pierced by a sword
Hail Mary…
Leader: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself
People: Take up his cross and follow me.
Hail Mary…
Leader: Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?
People: I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Hail Mary…
Leader: We adore you O Christ and we praise you
People: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Let us pray:
O God who in your inscrutable providence
Will that the Church be united to the sufferings of your Son
Grant to your faithful who suffer for your name’s sake
A spirit of patience and charity
That they be found true and faithful witnesses
To the promises you have made.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
Who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever.
