On November 17, St. Joseph's Oratory commemorated “Red Wednesday,” a day of prayer dedicated to people around the world persecuted for their Christian faith. The date was fitting as it was the 32nd anniversary of the killing of six Jesuits who led the Catholic University of El Salvador. In addition to the Jesuits and as part of its commemoration, the Oratory also recognized Sr. Dorothy Stang, S.N.D.deN., who was assassinated for her work with indigenous people in the Amazon, and the four U.S. Catholic missionary women raped and killed in 1980 in El Salvador.

In tribute to the victims of religious persecution, the dome of St. Joseph’s was illuminated in red for two days. The dome, which serves as the highest point in Montreal, can be prominently seen from miles away.

The work of Holy Cross Continues in Canada

Commenting on the day, Fr. Michael DeLaney, C.S.C., Rector of the St. Joseph's Oratory, said, “In the spirit of this day, our prayers also included people of all faiths who suffer because of religious persecution. Many of our visitors each year are Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and Jewish pilgrims, and I am grateful that they continue to find the Oratory to be a place of hope and peace.”