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Archdiocese of Chicago to Celebrate the Seventh Annual Mass for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence

The Mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at 5:15 p.m. Holy Name Cathedral

Chicago - (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate the seventh annual Mass for victims and survivors of domestic violence on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at 5:15 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Rev. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., director of the Archdiocese of Chicago Domestic Violence Outreach (ACDVO) Office, will preside and preach at the Mass. All are welcome to attend, especially victims of domestic violence, their children and families. The Mass will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/v4XtDETBdjk.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides us with an important opportunity to remind the Faithful of the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sacredness of all human life and violence in any form is never justified,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Our parishes are often safe places for endangered women and their children to seek refuge. May they know God’s love to find the courage and support to seek help and receive comfort and assistance from our parish communities.” 

ACDVO will host additional events and Masses with Fr. Dahm preaching throughout October, including:

  • Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 – 11 a.m.: Together We Stand Against Domestic Violence Rally and Walk, in partnership with Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Services and Black Catholic Women Say No to Domestic Violence, at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 9047 S. Harper in Chicago.
    • The event will begin with prayer and parishioner Honorable Steven Gregory Watkins, circuit judge in the criminal division, serving as the guest speaker. After a short program, the group will carry signs and posters and walk north on Stony Island Avenue from the parish parking at 91st Street to 87th Street, cross the street, and head south on Stony Island Avenue back to the parish parking lot.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.: Mass in honor of survivors of domestic violence at Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave., Chicago
  • Sunday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.: Masses in honor of survivors of domestic violence at St. Padre Pio Parish, 5601 N. California Ave., Chicago
  • Saturday., Sept. 22, 5 p.m.: Mass in honor of survivors of domestic violence St. Damian Church, 5300 155th St., Oak Forest
  • Sunday, Sept. 23, 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: Masses in honor of survivors of domestic violence at St. Damian Church, 5300 155th St., Oak Forest
  • Sunday, Oct. 30, 9 and 11:30 a.m.: Masses in honor of survivors of domestic violence at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams St., Chicago

“Domestic violence is rampant in the United States, and it exists in every community and parish,” said Dahm. “It is the most frequent 911 call in every police district. Our parishes must respond with the compassion of Jesus.”

October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four women and nearly one in 10 men suffer sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. About 11 million women and five million men who reported such abuse said they first experienced these forms of violence before the age of 18. Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse; it is any behavior used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner through use of physical, emotional, sexual or financial mistreatment, coercion, intimidation or deprivation.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, parish-based ministries, and other organizations also provide aid to victims of domestic violence. For those in at-risk situations, support for those endangered is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233 (SAFE).

Among the 194 Catholic dioceses in the United States, the Archdiocese of Chicago has the most developed domestic violence outreach program. The ACDVO Office has preached on domestic violence at Masses in 180 parishes throughout the Chicago area since 2008. ACDVO has developed local ministries serving victims of domestic violence in nearly 100 parishes.

More information about domestic violence and the work of ACDVO is available on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s website, www.domesticviolenceoutreach.org. There are videos, testimonies, homilies, prayers, and a manual on setting up a parish domestic violence ministry.