Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The diocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs invites all parishes to participate in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18-25. For more information, please contact Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin at rsiffrin@youngstowndiocese.org.

“At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that ‘they may be one so that the world may believe’ (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” –World Council of Churches

“The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity.  By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper ‘that they all may be one.’  (cf. John 17:21)” –USCCB

Parishes can find resources on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from the World Council of Churches and the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute websites, including:

• Suggestions for observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Thematic poster art, music, and prayer cards (English/Spanish)
• Scripture readings, commentaries and questions for reflection
• Ecumenical prayer service model
• Historical and contextual information