Religious Freedom Week

Religious Freedom Week (the successor to the Fortnight for Freedom which was held from 2012 - 2017) will be celebrated in dioceses nationwide from June 22 to June 29.  Throughout the week we will focus on the importance of preserving the essential right of religious freedom, both now and in the future, for Catholics and all people of faith.  This year’s theme is “Life and Dignity for All”. 

The significant feast days during the week (Saints Thomas More and John Fisher – June 22, Saint John the Baptist – June 24, and Saints Peter and Paul – June 29) inspire us to follow the example of these great saints who loved God above all and remained faithful in the face of adversity.

In addition to the resources linked below, please visit www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek to view the “Pray-Reflect-Act” pages for each day on various religious liberty topics, accompanied by daily prayer intentions, focused on the current year's theme.  These excellent resources are intended to inspire us to  learn more about religious liberty from a Catholic perspective, help us to pray about particular issues, and provide us with tools to act on what we learn.

Additional information and parish resources can be found below and at www.worcesterdiocese.org/religiousfreedomweek.  
 

SEE THE RESOURCES SECTION BELOW TO DOWNLOAD RESOURCES FOR PARISH OR PERSONAL USE.

BULLETIN/PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENT (for use on weekends of June 12 & 19)

"PRAY - REFLECT - ACT" PAGES (downloadable reflections on various aspects of religious freedom)

INTERCESSIONS FOR THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL 

PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

WAYS TO OBSERVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WEEK (suggestions for parishes and individuals)

SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS and LOGOS (for bulletins, parish websites, social media posts, etc.)

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PATRON SAINTS - St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher

Read Dignitatis humanae, the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom.

HELPFUL ARTICLES:  (these may be duplicated and used as educational bulletin inserts, shared in study groups, etc.)

USCCB - Life Matters: Religious Liberty and the American Soul

USCCB - Life Matters: Our Obligation to Protect Religious Freedom

USCCB - Life Matters: Conscience Protection in Health Care

FOR CLERGY:  A presider’s edition of the USCCB’s Holy Hour for Religious Freedom is available to priests and deacons upon request from the Respect Life Office via email to [email protected] or phone: 508-929-4311.

Find more resources at www.usccb.org/ReligiousFreedomWeek and www.usccb.org/freedom. 

PARISH EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, OR SPECIAL DEVOTIONS:   If your parish is planning any special event or devotion during Religious Freedom Week, please email brief details to al[email protected] and we will add it to our calendar.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST!  Simply send an email to [email protected] and ask to be added to the list.  You will receive daily reflections during Religious Freedom Week, and other periodic pro-life updates throughout the year.  Your email address is not shared with others and you can unsubscribe at any time