Wednesday was a big day for Catholics, and the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee took a moment to remind people that it was the feast day for Sts. Paulinus of Nola, John Fisher and Thomas More. 

“St. Paulinus gave up a life in politics to become a monk, a bishop and a revered Christian poet in the 5th century,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

John Fisher “was known for his simple lifestyle and his zeal for true and proper theology,” and Thomas More "became the protégé of Archbishop John Morton and eventually assumed the position of Lord Chancellor himself, despite never joining the clergy”; the post said. “Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More were martyred. Sts. Paulinus, John Fisher, and Thomas More, pray for us!”

Wednesday also marked the start of Religious Freedom Week. The theme for this year's week-long celebration is “Life and Dignity for All,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said online. The USCCB asserted that the point of freedom is to be able to serve one another, such as through health care, fostering or supporting adoption services. They also encouraged Americans to pray for and support persecuted Christians in other parts of the world, such as China. 

To get things started on Wednesday, the USCCB asked Catholics to "pray that governments will respect the consciences of all people who care for the sick and vulnerable," a Facebook post said. 

The diocese also announced that Bishop William Wack would lead a live-streamed rosary at 11 a.m. Thursday to celebrate Religious Freedom Week.