Celebrate Religious Freedom Week June 22nd through June 29th.
Religious freedom means that all people have the space to flourish. Religious freedom is both an American value and an important part of Catholic teaching on human dignity.
When we promote religious freedom, we promote the common good and thus strengthen the life of our nation and the community of nations.
Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all.
Beginning June 22, the feast of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Fisher, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites Catholics to pray, reflect, and act to promote religious freedom.
Religious Freedom Week (the successor to the Fortnight for Freedom which was held from 2012 - 2017) is 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. .
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.
Pray that all people of faith would be free to gather in houses of worship without fear. READ MORE
Pray that the Lord would protect all migrants and refugees, and that all those who work with people on the move would be free to serve. READ MORE
Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in India, who face harassment and violent attacks. READ MORE