Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity

I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

(John 17:20-21 RSVCE)

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It begins each year on January 18th which was, at the time, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. The Feast itself has since been moved to February 22nd.

The fact that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began on what was a celebration of the authority of St. Peter and of the Papacy is significant. The founders of the Week of Prayer, the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, entered full communion with the Roman Catholic Church one year later, in 1909.

For the Unity of Christians

Let us pray
for all our brother and sisters
who share our faith in Jesus Christ,
that God may gather and keep together in one Church
all those who seek the truth with sincerity.

Almighty and eternal God,
you keep together all those who you have united.
Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son.
We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism.
Make us one in the fullness of faith,
and keep us one in the fellowship of love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

General Intercessions, Good Friday, 1970 Roman Missal (Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite)