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Above: Uppsala Cathedral, dating to the 13th century, is the current seat of the Lutheran Primate of Sweden.
Today is Day 4 of the Octave of Christian Unity.
Known as the “Octave of Christian Unity” as well as the “Chair of the Octave of Christian Unity” this period of time which lasts from January 18th through January 25th has been virtually forgotten even while it is kept as a more informal “Week of Christian Unity” in the modern Church. Sadly, the aftermath of Vatican II has obscured the primary purpose of this Octave: to pray and work for the conversion of those outside of the True Faith (i.e., the Catholic Faith). –Matthew Plese
January 21
On the fourth day of the Octave of Christian Unity we pray for the reconciliation of European Protestants with the Holy See.
Traditional Prayer for the Octave:
Ant. That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that Thou has sent me.
℣. I say to thee, that thou art Peter,
℟. And upon this rock I will build my Church.Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst say to Thine Apostles: peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church; and vouchsafe unto Her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will: Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who “participate in some of the services during the Week of Christian Unity and assist at the closing of this same week.” A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful “who devoutly recite an appropriately approved prayer for the unity of Christians (e.g. Omnipotens et misericors Deus)” (Enchiridion Indulgentiarum Normae et Concessiones, 4th ed., 1999 [USSB, 2006], 53).
Omnipotens et misericors Deus
Almighty and merciful God, who wished to gather the scattered nations into one people through your Son, grant that those who glory in the name of Christians may put aside division and become one in truth and charity, and that all men may be illumined by the true faith and brought together into the fraternal communion of the one Church. Through Christ our Lord, amen.
Prayers For Each Day of the Octave:
- Prayer for Pagans
- Prayer for Jews
- Prayer for Muslims
- Prayer for Schismatic Orthodox Christians
- Prayer for Protestant Sects
- Prayer for Freemasons
- Prayer for Lapsed Catholics
- Prayer for the True Faith
