In the recent 2024 Olympic opening ceremonies a group of drag queens severely blasphemed Our Lord, specifically mocking the Last Supper.
The Last Supper (Holy Thursday and the start of the Holy Triduum) is the night that Christ Instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood. This is a sacred and holy night in the Catholic church – the night that Christ Himself gave us two of His most precious sacraments.
The fact that this was mocked on a worldwide stage is offensive to all Christians and highly disrespectful to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This evil attack on Our Lord and on our Christian faith was deeply hateful, hurtful, and disturbing.
We can’t change the past, so how can Catholics move forward from this and, more importantly, how can we respond? Thankfully, many strong Catholic voices have spoken up on practical things we can do to respond to this blasphemous event.
Catholic Bishops Speaking out Against the “Blasphemous” and “Heinous” 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Many bishops have spoken out strongly against the blasphemous opening ceremonies. These bishops are good shepherds leading their flock! Here are some links to a couple of statements which also include guidance regarding how we can respond.
Statement from Bishop Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota:
https://www.ncregister.com/cna/bishop-cozzens-response-to-olympics-mockery
Bishop Barron’s Response:
Father Mike Schmitz’s response and explanation of blasphemy. Truly excellent!!
Here is Matt Fradd’s video and the prayer that Fr. Mike was referring to below:
O Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, Son of the living God, behold, we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation; we would make amends for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy holy name, for all the injuries done to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, for all the irreverence shown toward Thine immaculate Virgin Mother, for all the calumnies and slanders spoken against Thy spouse, the holy Catholic Church. O Jesus, who hast said: “If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” we pray and beseech Thee for all our brethren who are in danger of sin; shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith; save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss; to all of them give light and knowledge of the truth, courage and strength for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity! For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy name, unto God the Father, with whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
How Can Catholics Respond to the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremonies?
In addition to our bishops, many Catholics (both priests and laity) are talking about how we can specifically respond to the 2024 Olympic opening ceremonies. The conversation is ongoing in the Catholic world online as well as in our local Catholic communities. Here are some excellent and practical ways that Catholics can act.
Prayer
Prayer is a powerful (if not THE most powerful) way Catholics can respond to the 2024 Olympic opening ceremonies. Here are some prayers you can say to make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pray them in your homes and in your parishes. Better yet, make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and pray them in the presence of Our Lord.
- Attend Mass during the week on days besides Sunday
- Pair your prayer with fasting
- Pray the prayer against blasphemy above
- Pray the Divine Praises
- Pray the Golden Arrow Prayer
- Complete the Nine First Fridays in Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (This article from our archives about reparations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was also recently featured, and it’s so relevant, especially today! When people hurt Our Lord they are also hurting Our Lady!)
- Pray the Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Read and meditate on the Last Supper sacred scripture passage from the Gospel of Luke
- Invoke St. Michael, pray, and do penance (advice from Bishop Barron)
- Pray for all those involved in the blasphemous opening ceremony
- Say this simple prayer that my friend shared with me from a homily she heard on Sunday: “Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Have Mercy on me a sinner. Amen.” Say it frequently and with great love for Our Lord!
Writing or Calling the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Father Chris Alar from the Divine Mercy Shrine recently posted his homily with very practical ways in which Catholics can respond to this blasphemous event. You can watch the entire video here (WARNING: This video describes the opening ceremonies in details that are not suitable for small children. Be sure to preview the video in the absence of children):
He gives specific instructions on whom you should call and/or write to in order to express your disapproval of the opening ceremonies. Here are the addresses and phone numbers he gives in the video:
Contact the International Olympic Committee (IOC):
By phone (international): 011 41 21 621 61 11
E-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org
Contact them through their website: www.olympics.com/ioc/contact-us
Write to them at: Maison Olympique 1007 Lausanne Switzerland
I recommend watching the video if you need help phrasing your letter or phone call. Fr. Alar makes so many valid points in the video.
He refers to a St. Thomas Aquinas quote that says that “Every sin is slight compared to blasphemy.”
Fr. Alar encourages us that “Christians need to resist and to make our voices heard” and to “Defend your faith, defend your Lord, and pray.”
He says we cannot and should not “…accept such blasphemy against our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” He is absolutely right.
Use this as an opportunity to focus on the Eucharist, Last Supper, and Christ’s Passion
Here is another excellent video in response to the opening ceremonies from The Catholic Talk Show:
They talk specifically about practical steps we can take in our own homes to teach our children God’s truth about events like these and how to respond. It is extremely important to strongly guide and form our children in the Catholic faith so that they can be resilient in times like these and in the times that are yet to come.
Sign a Petition Protesting the Olympics Blasphemy
Learn more about signing this petition from TFP Student Action that will be sent to the President of the Republic of France:
https://tfpstudentaction.org/petitions/protest-paris-olympics-blasphemy
Form Your Children Well in the Faith
Forming our children into strong warriors for Christ is imperative. Read your children sacred scripture and teach them the catechism. Take them to Mass and Adoration, and live liturgically in your home. Be your child’s first catechist. Pray with and for your children. This book is excellent for how to approach difficult topics with our children, and how to explain these topics through a Catholic lens.
Emphasize to your children that they are beloved sons and daughters of God, and that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life!
It is no coincidence that tens of thousands of people recently participated in the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress. Now, it is more important than ever to increase our devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist and deepen our faith through prayer! In addition, raising our children to be strong warriors of Christ needs to be our top priority.
Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Have Mercy on me a sinner.
Amen!
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