STM AUDIO AND VIDEO ARCHIVE

The Rev. Dr. Flora Wilson Bridges
Guest Homilist
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Morning Mass
January 27, 2008 - Chapel of St. Ignatius, Seattle University Campus

Since the 18th century, proponents for Christian unity have advocated common prayer.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between January 18 and 25.  It is actually an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days. The co-founders of the Society of Atonement, a small group of Franciscan Sisters and Friars, founded the Church Unity Octave in 1908. The dates were proposed to span the days between the Feast of St. Peter and the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. 

Christians around the world celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity together, with the encouragement of the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Each year’s theme and text are jointly prepared by the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council.

Celebrating its 100th year, the theme for 2008 was “Pray without ceasing…” from I Thessalonians 5:12a, 13b-18.

The School of Theology and Ministry has joined in the observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for nine years.  STM faculty member, Rev. Dr. Flora Wilson Bridges, was invited to serve as guest preacher for the morning and evening service on January 27, 2008 as part of the Week of Prayer celebrations.