Prayer for the Unity of Christians

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began January 18th and will conclude on January 25th 2013 the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.  It is an international ecumenical observance lasting eight days.  The Holy Father today emphasized the importance of unity among Christians during his Sunday Angelus at the Vatican.  "One of the most serious sins that disfigures the face of the Church is agains its visible unity."  He also urged thousands of pilgrims at St. Peter's Square today to pray for peace as part of this Christian Unity week.

Pope waves after general audience
Giampiero Sposito/ Reuters

Prayer for the Unity of Christians

Almighty and eternal God,

You gather the scattered sheep

and watch over those You have gathered.

Look kindly on all who follow Jesus, You Son.

You have marked them with the seal of one baptism; 

now make them one in the fullness

of faith and unite them in the bond of love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.