Catholic Christian Unity Week—formally the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity—is an annual, worldwide observance from January 18–25 dedicated to praying, studying, and working for the unity of all Christians. It has been celebrated for more than 100 years and is supported jointly by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches
2026: “There is one body and one Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:4)
What Catholic Christian Unity Week Is
- An eight‑day octave of prayer observed every January 18–25 in the Northern Hemisphere.
- A global ecumenical effort involving Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, and many others.
- A response to Jesus’ prayer “that they may all be one” (John 17:21), the biblical foundation of the week.
- A collaboration between the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, who jointly prepare the annual theme and prayer materials.
- A call to heal divisions and strengthen Christian witness through prayer, dialogue, and shared service.
History at a Glance
| Year | Event |
| 1908 | Fr. Paul Wattson, founder of the Graymoor Friars, begins the “Octave of Christian Unity.” |
| 1916 | Pope Benedict XV extends the observance to the entire Catholic Church. |
| 1960s | Vatican II deepens Catholic commitment to ecumenism. |
| Today | Celebrated worldwide with shared prayer services, Bible reflections, and ecumenical gatherings. |
2026: “There is one body and one Spirit.” (Ephesians 4:4)
How It’s Celebrated
- Ecumenical prayer services hosted by different Christian communities.
- Shared Scripture reflections using the official international booklet.
- Joint acts of charity and service as a witness to unity.
- Clergy and lay gatherings to build relationships and understanding.
- Local parish observances such as Holy Hours, rosaries, and study sessions.
Why It Matters
- Strengthens Christian witness in a divided world.
- Promotes healing of historical wounds between churches.
- Encourages “receptive ecumenism”—learning from other traditions without compromising Catholic faith.
- Fosters unity rooted in truth and charity, not uniformity.
Parish Bulletin Summary
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity — January 18–25
- Annual worldwide observance inviting all Christians to pray for the unity Christ desires: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
- Supported by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, with a new biblical theme chosen each year.
- Encourages Catholics to join with other Christian communities in prayer, reflection, and acts of charity.
- Local parishes are invited to host or participate in ecumenical services, Holy Hours, Scripture reflections, or shared outreach projects.
- A reminder that unity is a gift of the Holy Spirit and a responsibility entrusted to every baptized Christian.
- An opportunity to deepen understanding of other Christian traditions while remaining firmly rooted in the Catholic faith.
- A call to witness to Christ together in a world longing for reconciliation and peace.
PRAYERS Daily Prayers during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Day 1 (Jan. 18) – Our Calling
God of light, you have called us out of darkness into your light. May our response to your call lead us to actively seek reconciliation and share your light in the world. Amen.
Day 2 (Jan. 19) – Bearing with one another
Lord Jesus Christ, you show us how to be patient with one another in humility and gentleness. May the light you have shined on our path lead us towards unity and help us heal the wounds of division and indifference that often break communities apart. Amen..
Day 3 (Jan. 20) – The one bond of peace
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Prince of Peace. Strengthen the bond of peace among us and in our troubled world. Change the hearts of all who make war; touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war. We pray especially for the people of Armenia and Artsakh, and their kindred throughout the world. Let the light of your love shine in all the dark places of our world and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice. Amen
Day Four (Jan. 21) – Called to one hope
Jesus Christ, you brought us together in all our diversity as your family and church. In the face so many situations on earth where hope has given way to despair and wounded hearts, renew our hope in the Holy Spirit’s work of changing the world. Move us to spread this hope to everyone everywhere. You are the true Light, who casts out the darkness of sin, and shines into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal love. Amen.
Day Five (Jan. 22) –One faith, one baptism
(St. Nersess the Gracious: Adapted): Spirit of God, and true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the upper room, who enlightened us by the baptism of the Holy Font, we have sinned against Heaven and before you, purify us again with your divine fire, as you did the Apostles with fiery tongues. Have mercy on your creatures and especially on us. Amen.
Day 6 (Jan. 23) – One Lord and Father
(St. Gregory of Narek: Adapted) We confess with faith and worship you, Loving Father, for you are in heaven beyond words, and on earth beyond understanding, through your Son, Jesus Christ. In your tender care, you are the beginning and fulfillment of everything. Glory forever to you, Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 7 (Jan. 24) – Grace given to each
Lord Jesus Christ, by the action of the Holy Spirit in the one baptism, you have bestowed wonderful graces and multiple gifts upon us for the sake of building up your body, the Church. Grant us now the willingness to fully appreciate the richness of their diversity and use them fully to further the spread of the Gospel. In your name we pray. Amen.
Day 8 (Jan. 25) –Growing into the one Christ
O Christ, True Light of the world, make my soul worthy to see the light of your glory with joy on the day of my calling, and to rest with the hope of good things in the house of the righteous, until the day of your great coming. Have mercy upon your creation, and on me, a great sinner. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the Week
Lord our God, we confess together our faith in the mystery of your perfect unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one and only God. We pray for the grace to grow in unity together as your Church. By baptism, we profess this unity in the gift of your Holy Spirit, born again as your sinless children, yet we quickly surrender to the temptation of division.
Forgive us this sin and lead us to the miracle of being reconciled by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sin and division lead to death and destruction. In Jesus, who conquered death forever by his supreme act of love, we are empowered in this world to build his kingdom of forgiveness and peace. We pray, heavenly One, to you as our Father, that we truly believe and trust in the promise of the Gospel “that they all may be one.” We ask this through Jesus Christ, our brother and Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers
For all Christian Churches and faith communities, that they may continue to show one another extraordinary kindness in guiding them towards reconciliation and unity in Christ…
For all Christian Churches and faith communities, that they may be faithful witnesses to the Gospel call to reconciliation…
For church leaders everywhere during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, that they may work together and promote unity among Christians …
For the Church, that God would inspire God’s people to continue the quest for Christian unity and that our hearts be filled with the gift of Jesus’ love for all …
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual Christian observance dedicated to praying for the unity of all Christians, in obedience to Jesus’ prayer:
“That they may all be one” (John 17:21).
When it is observed
- January 18–25 each year
(from the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter to the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul)
Purpose
This week invites Christians of all traditions to:
- Pray together for unity in faith and love
- Reflect on divisions among Christians and seek healing
- Renew commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and charity
Unity is understood not as uniformity, but as communion in truth and love, guided by the Holy Spirit.
How it is observed
- Ecumenical prayer services
- Scripture readings and reflections
- Joint services projects
- Parish or community prayer gatherings
Each year’s prayers and reflections are prepared by an ecumenical group from a different region of the world and are used globally.
Catholic perspective
The Catholic Church actively participates in the Week of Prayer, emphasizing:
- Prayer as the foundation of unity
- Fidelity to truth alongside charity
- Trust that unity is ultimately God’s work
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity reminds us that Christian unity begins with prayer, humility, and conversion of heart, asking God to heal divisions and draw all believers closer to Christ.
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