Pope asks all to join in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Source: Vatican News/WCC

During the Angelus yesterday, Pope Francis invited everyone to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 18 to 25 January, which this year focuses on a theme relating the experience of the Magi, who came from the East to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah King: 'We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him.' In a similar way, Christians of diverse backgrounds and traditions "are pilgrims on our way to full unity" who come closer to our goal when keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus.

The Pope encouraged all to pray for Christian unity and also offer up our struggles and suffering.

The Week of Prayer, held annually on 18-25 January, involves Christians of all denominations around the world.

The theme for 2022 was chosen by the Middle East Council of Churches, in conjunction with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

During the week, all Christians are invited to reflect each day on a specific theme, as part of the overall theme.

"We observed His star in the East" is the title of the first day, while the second will be guided by the theme, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?"

"When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him" is the focus of the third day.

The fourth will revolve around "And you, Bethlehem… are by no means least".

On the fifth day, the phrase that accompanies the reflection is entitled: "Ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising".

For the sixth, the theme is "They saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid Him homage."

On the seventh day, we are invited to pray about the gifts of the Magi: "Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

Finally, the eighth and final day is focused on: "They left for their own country by another road.'

The Office for Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced on Friday that Pope Francis will preside over Vespers on Tuesday, 25 January, to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. (Last year he was unable to preside over the event due to a flare-up in his sciatica.)

The celebration will take place at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls on the Solemnity of the Conversion of St Paul.

LINKS

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has published resource materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity available to all. See: www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/settimana-di-preghiera-per-l-unita/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2022.html

Vatican News: 17 January 2022 - Raphaël Bedros XXI opens Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Beirut - www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-01/raphael-bedros-xxi-opens-week-of-prayer-christian-unity-beirut.html