The head of the Knights of Columbus asked the members, a nine-day novena, starting Christmas Eve, on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world.
“In recent weeks, there have been threats of attacks made against Christians and Christian churches in more than a few parts of the world,” Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly wrote in an email.
“A friend of the Knights, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of the Diocese of Yola, Nigeria, was recently interviewed about the increased threats and violence. When asked if he had a message for Christians around the world, he said simply, ‘we want you to support us with your prayers … without your prayers, we may not be able to survive.’”
The Novena For Persecuted Christians will begin on 24 December and conclude on 1 January, the World Day of Prayer for Peace.