By Ace Dizon and Olivia Louise Infante

On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS) community commemorated Red Wednesday with an Eucharistic Celebration and a paraliturgy.

“They persevere, they continue, even in danger or punishment,” expressed Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ during the mass at the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Chapel at the Formation Learning Center.

Red Wednesday is a campaign that started in 2015 by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic institution that supports persecuted and oppressed Christians. 

This year’s theme was “Embracing Persecuted, Oppressed, and Needy Christians,” which highlighted the church’s pastoral work to support and aid Christians from various walks of life. In solidarity, Churches from all over the world illuminated their sacred walls with red hues.

During the mass, Fr. Nebres stressed that we are called to pray for Christians all around the world who have to live their faith-life in secrecy due to fear of being caught and punished. 

Albeit initially being an initiative led by Catholics for Christians, Red Wednesday is not only limited to the latter. It is dedicated to all those believers of their faith who are persecuted for it. 

The school is known for upholding its core values, and as Ateneans, we must remember that compassion does not need brackets in order to be emphasized. 

However, we must reflect on the alarming severity of the circumstances that prompted for such an event; people must not be persecuted and oppressed for merely practicing their faith to begin with. 

Red Wednesday was not formed because of a historical tragedy—but a saddening reality of what multiple believers are going through across the world; they are met with tragedy in a miserable, concurrent routine. 

Undoubtedly, no human being deserves to be treated in such a way. Still, Fr. Nebres shared the importance of praying for those who persecute and oppress, that they may be more accepting and understanding of the different ways of how people recognize and worship God. 

May the severity of the situation remind us that despite everything, we continue to view a life of faith as something that structures our principles and way of being, not as a price we have to pay.

When we believe, it is unconditional and not transactional. At its core, our faith helps us to feel a sense of security in the hands of God. 

The color red may step past our walls of comfort, but it does not need to pose as a flag for worry—rather, as a mark of respect and honor. Fr. Nebres even shared that we must also thank God that we are able to worship Him openly, without fear of punishment, oppression, or any kind of discrimination. 

To our martyred brothers and sisters, the ASHS community looks upon you as examples of unwavering commitment to faith. It is among the shades of red that we embrace you for your selfless deeds, as we share an unspoken message: You will always be remembered.