Closing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

25 JANUARY 2010. Today, as the Church celebrates the Feast of the conversion of Saint Paul, the octave Week of Prayer for Christian Unity also draws to a close. As this week of payer closes, let's call to mind the words of our Holy Father who described this octave as an opportunity "to revive the ecumenical spirit, to come together, to get to know each other, pray and reflect together."

On 18 January 2010, at the opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Pope encouraged the Church with these words:

Our announcement of the Gospel of Christ will be so much more credible and effective when we are united in his love, as true brothers.  I invite, therefore, the parishes, religious communities, associations and ecclesial movements to pray incessantly, in particular during the eucharistic celebrations, for the full unity of Christians.

As this week closes, let us continue to pray for unity among all Christians in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Information on the octave can be found at a website published by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement here.