Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

As the Catholic Church prepares to join Christians around the world in commemorating the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme chosen also reflects Pope Leo XIV’s hope of unified humanity in an increasingly individualistic world.

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In observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, churches in the Fergus Falls area — including Our Lady of Victory Parish — are joining together to hold daily prayer services followed by a lunch open to all. On Friday, Jan. 27, Our Lady of Victory hosted the service.

Encouraging Catholics to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis also announced that before the assembly of the Synod of Bishops opens in early October, there will be an ecumenical prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square.

The public is invited to participate in the service with the theme “Do Good; Seek Justice,” which will be led by members of St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph Parish and Resurrection Lutheran Church, all in St. Joseph.

Three lifelong Catholics — Lisa Barton, Kaye Schmnich and Terry Elliot — are employed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, which gives them a unique ecumenical perspective as Catholics observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25.

“May we all strive to be what Jesus prayed and sacrificed himself for in his final hours: to gather into one the dispersed children of God.”

In the spotlight this week: March for Life, COVID-19 and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.