“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD … AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”
(LUKE 10: 27)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a joint endeavor between The Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches, begins on January 18 and concludes on January 25,
the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
First celebrated as the Church Unity Octave in 1908, this annual celebration invites Christians around the
world to pray and work to fulfill the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” (John 17: 21). The Decree
on Ecumenism from the Second Vatican Council notes that “every effort should be made toward the
gradual realization of this unity, especially by prayer, and by fraternal dialogue” (18).
This year’s theme invites Christians around the world to reflect on how we are united with our brothers
and sisters by knowing of God’s love for them and recognizing our common love for God in Christ.
Drawn from the introductory verses to the Parable of the Good Samaritan, this invitation to consider love
of God and love of neighbor as the greatest commandments challenge us to discover our neighbor and to respond with love, rather than fear, to those around us.
Resources for Prayer and Additional Information
- Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (USCCB)
- Biblical Reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (attached document) from the World Council of Churches
- Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024
- Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute