On 22 November, Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo illuminated the night sky in a radiant shade of red in a show of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world. The stunning transformation of the Cathedral marked the Diocese’s participation in the global initiative known as ‘Red Wednesday’, or the ‘Night of the Witnesses’.
Fr Brian Boyle, Administrator of the Cathedral Cluster of parishes, led a Vigil for persecuted Christians on the Wattle Street stairs of the Cathedral just as the night fell. The small gathering of the faithful dedicated prayers for those facing persecution due to their Christian beliefs. It was a moving demonstration of faith, compassion, and unity.
This year was the first time for Sacred Heart Cathedral to join the global campaign. “We now have the technology installed to make this happen,” said Fr Boyle. The new lights were installed only days before Red Wednesday and the Diocesan project manager and technicians had been busily testing and adjusting the lights in preparation for the night.
Fr Brian expressed his gratitude to the people who joined him in prayer, acknowledging that everyone present felt safe to stand outside on the Cathedral stairs at night and pray openly.
There were just over 20 people who attended the prayer vigil. Fr Boyle aims to have a much larger gathering next year and hopes that a Red Wednesday prayer vigil on the stairs of the Cathedral will become a Diocesan tradition – for the sake of our fellow Christians who are less fortunate than us.
