Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Octave of Prayer for Church Unity

January 18 is the Feast of the Confession of Peter ("Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" Matthew 16:16). January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul (Acts 9). Many Christians observe the eight days from January 18 to January 25 inclusive as a time of special prayer that all Christians may be one with their Lord and with one another, joined in faith and love.

I invite all of you to join in offering such prayers, always but especially during these eight days.

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

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