Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18-25 Jan

Calling of Sts. Peter and Andrew by Duccio di Buoninsegna 


Beginning on 18 January (formerly the feast of the Chair of Peter at Rome), and lasting until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (25 January), we observe the week of prayer for Christian unity.  There is a partial indulgence for praying devoutly an approved prayer for Christian unity. 

Here is one such text:
"Almighty and merciful God, who wished to gather the scattered nations into one people through your Son, grant that those who glory in the name of Christians may put aside division and become one in truth and charity, and that all men may be illumined by the true faith and brought together into the fraternal communion of one Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Why is this week so designated?  Historically, 18 January was the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome; that observance was merged with the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch celebrated on 22 February in the 20th century (St. Peter was shepherd of both cities at different points...) -- we now celebrate the combined feast on that later, February, date. This historic feast day of St. Peter, however, still marks the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which closes with that of St. Paul!

Here is more about the week of prayer: USCCB: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Another resource for prayers for this week: FSSP: Church Unity Octave

Here is the source for the indulgence information:

11 Hebdomada pro christianorum unitate  Catholica Ecclesia Conditoris sui precem pridie quam pateretur ad Patrem prolatam « ut omnes unum sint » maxime cordi habet et ideo christifideles enixe hortantur ut pro christianorum unitate assidue orent.  § 1. Plenaria indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui aliquot functionibus in hebdomada pro christianorum unitate participaverit et eiusdem hebdomadae conclusioni interfuerit.  § 2.22 Partialis indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui orationem legitime adprobatam pro christianorum unitate devote recitaverit (e.g. Omnipotens et misericors Deus).  Omnipotens et misericors Deus, qui diversitatem gentium in unum populum per Filium tuum adunare voluisti, concede propitius ut qui christiano nomine gloriantur, qualibet divisione reiecta, unum sint in veritate et caritate, et omnes homines, verae fidei lumine illustrati, in unam Ecclesiam fraterna communione conveniant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Source: Enchiridion Indulgentiarum

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