Fortnight for Freedom 2016

What is the Fortnight for Freedom?

The "Fortnight for Freedom" is 14 days of prayer, education and action for religious freedom in the United States and around the world. It will take place from June 21 to July 4, 2016. The theme of this year’s Fortnight is "Witnesses to Freedom." During this time, the Church's liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.

Four Ways to Celebrate the Fortnight for Freedom

Pray

Hold a prayer vigil for religious freedom. Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet could all be forms of intercession for our country and our first freedom.

Gather

Get together and celebrate religious freedom with a parish picnic or barbecue. Hand out religious freedom conversation starters as a way to spur discussion about our first, most precious liberty.

Learn

Catholic teaching on religious freedom is rich and has much to offer our culture today. Consider getting a study group together to read and discuss what religious freedom is really all about.

Or, consider hosting a religious freedom movie night at your house or parish. Films can be a great way to learn about and reflect on our faith.

Here are a few suggestions:

◗ A Man for All Seasons, about the martyrdom of St. Thomas More

◗ For Greater Glory, about the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico

◗ First Freedom: The Fight for Religious Liberty, a PBS video about religious freedom

◗ Becket, about 12th century English martyr St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Pilgrimage

Join Catholics from all over the country in the nation’s capital on July 4 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for our country and for our Church.

[Text "Freedom" to 377377 to receive updates.]

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.