Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
(January 18-25)

Pray without ceasing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12a, 13b-18)

The week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1908 by the Rev. Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement. Its observance has changed over the years, in accordance with developments in the ecumenical movement: the universal week of prayer advocated by Abbé Paul Couturier in Lyon, France in the 1930s; the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948; the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism in 1964; and the formation of the Joint Working Group between the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. A world observance, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important expression of ecumenical activity at the local level.

The theme and text for each year’s observance of the Week of Prayer are chosen and prepared by representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and representatives of the World Council of Churches. The international texts are developed, adapted and published for use in the USA by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.

To obtain Week of Prayer Materials 2008 materials, download the Order Form.

E-mail The Week of Prayer at the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute for more information.

More about Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue:
      The Week of Prayer / Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute /
      Centro Pro Unione / Paul Wattson Lectures / Local Ecumenism

Contact The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement with your questions or comments at: