Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan 18-23

Today, January 18, begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which continues through Sunday, January 24. This week is an invitation for Christians throughout the world to pray with our Lord Jesus that we all may be one as He and the Father were one (Jn 17:21). Father Paul Wattson, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, developed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which was first observed at Graymoor from January 18-25, 1908. This year's theme is "You are witnesses of these things" (Lk 24:48). The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute provides a wealth of spiritual resources for this annual event, including an excellent daily Scripture and prayer guide.

All-holy Father, fountain of unity and wellspring of harmony, grant that all the families of nations, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the human race,may be gathered together to form the one people of the New Covenant…pour out upon us the Spirit of gentleness and peace,that we may work together in harmony and so hasten the coming of your kingdom.We ask this through Christ our Lord. ~from the Mass of Holy Mary, Mother of Unity

Dear Mary, Mother of Christ, pray for us to be one in your Son! Amen.