Octave Begins Today - The Chair of St. Peter and the Chair of Unity Octave: Authority, Conversion, and the Eclipse of Continuity

Click here to go to the prayers for the Octave for today

January 18 was once the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter for the entire Church. Today it is still celebrated by many Traditional Latin Mass communities but not by the post-conciliar church. 

"In the earlier centuries of the Church, there are records of two feasts of the Chair of St. Peter, acknowledging his authority over the Church: one feast on February 22nd, and one on January 18th. For a long time St. Peter’s Chair was celebrated only on February 22nd, but in the sixteenth century Pope Paul IV restored the ancient feast of January 18th as St. Peter’s Chair at Rome, specifically to confound the errors of the Protestants who denied papal authority and sought to discredit that St. Peter actually lived and died in Rome. February 22nd was maintained as the feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Antioch, honoring the Apostle’s role as bishop of that ancient see. In the 1960 Roman Calendar, which summarily deleted many ancient feasts and commemorations in a foretaste of later liturgical changes, the two feasts were combined again on February 22nd, and the January 18th feast removed, though many places that follow the 1962 Missal still acknowledge the ancient feast with a Votive Mass of the Chair of St. Peter.” 1

The reason given is that because there was a second feast on February 22 which "served the same basic purpose", Pope John XXIII combined the two so both are now celebrated on February 22. I believe there might be more to this than meets the eye because in deleting this feast on January 18, the post-Vatican II church, in my opinion, intentionally "threw the baby out with the bathwater" - the "baby" being the original CHAIR OF UNITY OCTAVE that is deeply connected to the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter which traditionally begins on January 18 (The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter) and culminates on January 25 (The Feast of the Conversion on Saint Paul). Learn about the current watered-down version of this octave here. 

“Among the more consequential yet often overlooked changes to the Roman calendar in the twentieth century were those affecting the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and the observances that were origianlly called the Chair of Unity Octave but later came to be known as the Octave of Christian Unity. These changes did not merely alter dates or suppress duplications; they reshaped the theological grammar by which the Church once taught the nature of unity itself. What had long been a liturgical catechesis rooted in apostolic authority, martyrdom, and conversion was gradually reinterpreted and, ultimately, structurally dismantled.”

“The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and the Chair of Unity Octave once formed a powerful liturgical proclamation: Christ manifests Himself to the nations; men are called to conversion; authority teaches; unity is restored. The removal of January 18 from the universal calendar in 1960 did not abolish these truths, but it obscured the clarity with which they were once taught.” 2

“The spirituality associated with this day (January 18 - The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter in Rome) naturally lended well to the Chair of Unity Octave. It was a fitting beginning to the Octave while the Conversion of St. Paul, celebrated on January 25th, served as a poignant and appropriate ending to a week of prayer for those separated from the Ark of Salvation.” 3

Until the 2nd Vatican Council the Church always taught that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus). We are called by God to bring all people into His Church, the One and Only Church of salvation, the Catholic Church. Our efforts to spread the Faith are centered on saving the souls of others. This is of supreme charity.

Pope Eugene IV spoke unambiguously in Cantate Domino when he authoritatively affirmed:

“The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless before death they are joined with Her; and that so important is the unity of this ecclesiastical body that only those remaining within this unity can profit by the sacraments of the Church unto salvation, and they alone can receive an eternal recompense for their fasts, their almsgivings, their other works of Christian piety and the duties of a Christian soldier. No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pours out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church.”

Pope Innocent III declared at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215: 

“There is but one universal Church of the faithful, outside which no one at all is saved.” 

His Holiness Innocent III unequivocally declared that all men must belong to the Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. Period.

Subsequently, Pope Boniface VIII made the matter even more clear when in 1302 he unequivocally declared, 

“We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff” (Unam Sanctam, 1302). Read those words carefully: absolutely necessary.

And these remarks are not the only ones pronounced by the Holy Catholic Church. The Church continues to teach that outside of the Church there is no salvation. Period. The Church is unchanging in matters of Faith and Doctrine. If it is true that in the past salvation was possible only for Catholics and if this is not true now, then the Faith has changed. But the Faith cannot change because God doesn’t change. As the Scriptures affirm: “Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).5

"In the Chair of Unity Octave we pray for that true unity which Our Lord asked His Heavenly Father for when He said, “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father in Me, and I in Thee…” The world today has a false notion of unity, which is nothing more than ecumenism. These people desire that somehow falsehood should exist simultaneously with truth, that heresy should coexist with the true Faith, that Christ should coexist with antichrist. But this cannot be. Christ did not come from Heaven to earth to establish a Church to which membership is optional, or whose teachings could change with the times. Christ established a Church which will last until the end of time, a Church whose doctrines will not change with the times, and to which all who wish for salvation must belong. Therefore, the Church is praying that those who are outside the Catholic Church give up their heresy, schism, and error and convert to the Catholic Faith, which is the only path that leads souls to heaven" (Bishop McGuire).

This is why rediscovering these customs is essential to countering the false ecumenism of our day. I believe all Catholics who love the Church and truly want to help others should make it a priority to pray the prayers of Christian Unity between January 18 and January 25th (see below). 

Starting on the old feast date of January 18 and for the next 8 days, until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25, the Church prays for the lost sheep, the schismatic, Anglicans, Lutherans and other Protestants in Europe, American Protestants, lapsed Catholics, Jews, and for the entire world to be united in the one, true Faith, under the authority of the Chair of St. Peter.

This practice began in 1908, when an Episcopalian realized the errors and disunity of Protestantism and began an "octave of unity" to pray for the coming together of all Christians under the authority of the Holy See. He not only converted to Catholicism, but brought with him two entire congregations of first order and second order Episcoplian Franciscans. Pope St. Pius X approved of his "octave of unity, as did Pope Benedict XV in 1916. Five years later, American Bishops adopted the practice, which has since spread all over the world.

To practice this devotion, simply pray the prayers below for 8 days, starting on January 18 and ending on January 25. I've made the prayers available for download here: Prayers for the Chair of Unity Octave (pdf)

PRAYERS FOR THE CHAIR OF UNITY OCTAVE (OCTAVE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY)

First Day of the Octave: January 18

Intention of the Day: The Return of the "Other Sheep" to the One Fold of Christ

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Return of the Other Sheep

Priest: Let us pray: O God, in Thy mercy thou dost set aright those who have gone astray and Thou dost save those whom Thou hast gathered together. We beseech Thee to pour down upon all Christian people the grace of union with Thee, so that putting aside disunion and attaching themselves to the true shepherd of Thy Church, they may be able to serve Thee humbly and lovingly. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Immaculate Virgin, who wast preserved by a singular privilege of grace from original sin, look down with pity upon our separated brethren, who are still thy children, and call them back to the Center of Unity. Many have, even from afar, preserved a most tender devotion towards thee, O Mother; reward them for their devotion by obtaining for them the grace of conversion. Victorious over the powers of hell from the very first moment of thine existence, renew, now that the necessity is more urgent, thy triumphant progress, as in ages past. Glorify thy Son, O Mother, by bringing back to the One Fold His straying sheep. And may it be thy glory, O Virgin Mary, to banish error from the earth, to put an end to disunity and to restore peace to the world. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People:That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles

Priest: O glorious St. Peter, as a reward for thy lively and generous faith, thy profound and sincere humility, and thy ardent love, thou wast singled out by Our Lord and endowed with most special privileges. Thou wast also constituted Prince of the Apostles with primacy over the whole Church, of which thou wert made the Rock and Foundation. Obtain for us, we pray, a lively faith and an ardent zeal so that all of us will labor for the return of our separated brethren. May the desire of Our Divine Redeemer, that there might be but "one Fold and one Shepherd," be for us, as it wast for thee, the inspiration to work and pray for the return of all those who are still outside the Fold. Strengthened by Divine Grace, may they be led back speedily to the bosom of our common Mother, the Catholic Church. Amen.

Second Day of the Octave: January 19

Intention of the Day: The Return of Oriental Separatists to Communion with the Apostolic See

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Reunion of the East and West

Priest: Let us Pray. O Lord, Who hast united all nations in the confession of Thy name, we pray Thee for the Christian peoples of the East. Mindful of the eminent place they have held in Thy Church, we beg of Thee to inspire them to occupy it again, so as to form with us one single fold. Grant that they, together with ourselves, may be penetrated with the teaching of those holy doctors of theirs, who are also our Fathers in the Faith. Grant us that the spirit of peace and charity, which is the mark of Thy presence among the faithful, may hasten the day in which their prayers may be united with ours, so that every people and every tongue may acknowledge and glorify Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Immaculate Virgin Mary, we thy servants and children, full of confidence in thy powerful protection, humbly beseech thee to implore of the Holy Ghost the abundance of His gifts for our brethren, the separated Christians of the East. Enlightened by His vivifying grace, may they return to the bosom of the Catholic Church. We pray also that our Oriental brethren, once more united to us by the indissoluble bonds of the same faith and the same charity, may, with us, glorify by the practice of good works the most august Trinity, and at the same time pay homage to thee, O Virgin Mother of God, full of grace, now and forever. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People: That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to the Fathers of the Eastern Church

Priest: O glorious martyrs, Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, and thou, illustrious Doctors of the Church, Saint Athanasius, Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Basil, who worked and suffered so much for the purity of faith and the salvation of the souls entrusted to thy paternal care, look down from heaven upon thy beloved Eastern countries, which, forgetful of thy teaching and example, live now separated from the body of the true Church. By thy powerful intercession, O holy Eastern Fathers, obtain for all separated Oriental Christians the grace to return to the Center of Unity, and to form with us one and the same family, in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.

Third Day of the Octave: January 20

Intention of the day: The Conversion of the Anglicans

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Conversion of England

Priest: Let us pray. O Jesus, Good Shepherd, look down benignly upon the great and noble English nation. Converted to Thee through the labors of St. Augustine and his companions, it was for many centuries rich in fruits of faith and sanctity. So devoted was this nation to Thy holy and Immaculate Mother that it was known throughout Christendom as the "Dowry of Mary." When it was separated from Thee in cruel fashion, many hundreds of its people willingly shed their blood in testimony of their loyalty to Thee and Thy Church. O Loving Shepherd of souls, recall this great nation once more to the unity of Thy Church, and grant peace of soul to all those now separated from Thy flock. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our own most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy Dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. Through thee it was that Jesus our Savior and our Hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated English brethren, that they may be united with us in the One True Fold. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God together with Thee in our heavenly home. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People:That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to the English Martyrs

Priest: O Glorious Martyrs of England, Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher and thy companions, who, to sustain the voice of the Supreme Head of the True Church against the decrees of your rulers, didst willingly and courageously suffer death, pray now that the great nation to which thou didst belong may once more return to the bosom of the Church from which it was so cruelly wrested. Amen.

Fourth Day of the Octave: January 21

Intention of the day: That the Lutherans and Other Protestants of Continental Europe May Fnd their Way Back to Holy Church

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Conversion of Protestants

Priest: Let us pray. O most beloved Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast redeemed the world at the price of Thy Most Precious Blood, look down in Thy mercy upon the Christian peoples of Europe, who are still outside Thy Fold, and let the full blaze of the light of Thy truth shine upon them. Multiply, O God, the true messengers of Thy Gospel, inspire them with fervor, make them fruitful in good works, and bless with Thy grace their zeal and their labors, so that the separated Christians of Europe may be fully converted to Thee, their Creator and Redeemer. Recall the stray sheep to Thy Fold, and the wanderers to the bosom of Thy one true Church. Hasten, O dearest Savior, the happy advent of Thy Kingdom on earth, draw all men to the treasures of Thy Sacred Heart, so that all may share in the priceless benefits of Thy Redemption in the eternal happiness of Heaven. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Mary, Mother of Mercy and Refuge of Sinners, we beseech thee to look with pitying eyes upon the Protestant peoples of Europe. O Seat of Wisdom, enlighten their minds, so that they may come to know that the Catholic Church is the one, True Church of Christ. Complete their conversion by obtaining for them the grace to believe every truth of our Holy Faith. Once more united to us by the bonds of divine charity, they will sing with us forever thy glorious praises. "Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all error in the whole world." Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People: That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to St. Agnes on her feast

Priest: O singular example of virtue, glorious Saint Agnes, the lively faith that animated thee from thy childhood rendered thee so acceptable to God that thou didst merit the crown of martyrdom. Obtain for us, we pray, the grace to preserve entire in our hearts the Catholic Faith, and to seek the conversion to the faith of our Christian brethren now separated from us, so that all may become Christians not only in word but also in deed. Pray for us today that, as we confess Jesus openly in the face of men, Jesus may give favorable testimony of us before His Father in heaven. Amen.

Fifth Day of the Octave: January 22

Intention of the Day: That Protestants in America May Become One in Union with the Chair of Saint Peter

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Conversion of America

Priest: Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, grant unto all Thy servants, but especially to the people of our own nation, the grace of being fully united to Thee in Thy Church. O Divine Redeemer, of Whom the prophet sang "all the kings of the earth shall adore Him and all the nations shall serve Him," extend Thy Kingdom over the entire human race, but especially over our own beloved country. Grant in Thy mercy that the people of our land may be converted to Thee, and humbly and lovingly serve Thee. This we ask, O Savior, through the intercession of Thy Immaculate Mother, the benevolent patroness and protectress of our country. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: Most Holy Virgin, who wast pleasing to the Lord and became His Mother, Immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look down kindly upon us poor sinners. We now implore thy powerful patronage for all the people of our beloved land. The wicked serpent, against whom the first curse was hurled, continues fiercely to attack and ensnare the unhappy children of Eve. O Blessed Mother, our Queen and our advocate, who crushed the head of the enemy from the very first moment of thine existence, receive from us the prayers which we implore thee to present at the throne of God. Pray that we may never fall into the snares laid out for us, and that we may all arrive at the port of salvation. May the Church and Christian society, now in so many dangers, sing once again the hymn of deliverance, of victory, and of peace. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People: That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to Saint John the Baptist

Priest: O most zealous messenger of God, Saint John the Baptist, while thou didst work no miracles on others, thou didst draw after thee crowds, to prepare them to receive Our Savior worthily and to listen to His heavenly teaching. This thou didst do sole!y by the example of thy holy life and the practice of every good work. Pray that we also may receive the grace to lead many souls to God, but, above all, the souls of those who are still outside the One Fold in our own beloved country. Amen.

Sixth Day of the Octave: January 23

Intention of the Day: The Return to the Sacraments of Lapsed Catholics

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for Lapsed Catholics

Priest: Let us pray. O Almighty Father, Who desirest not the death of the sinner,but rather that he be converted and live pour out upon us thy mercy and listen to the prayers of Thy servants. Soften the hearts of those children of Thine who have strayed from the true paths, which Thou didst establish for their salvation. They are now forgetful of their duties as Catholics and pursue only the transitory pleasures of the world. Grant that they may speedily return to the practice of every Christian virtue, so that their fives may shine with the integrity of faith, the fervor of piety, and the ardor of charity. Restore all of them to Thy Sacraments and to the life of Thy grace, through the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Thy Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Mother of Jesus Christ and our Mother, we pray thee to obtain for us the grace of serving God faithfully in this world that we may have the happiness of loving Him eternally in heaven. Hear the prayers that we address to thee, O Mother; defend us against the enemies of our salvation, and against our own infirmities. Obtain for us pardon for our sins and perseverance in the determination never to fall away again. We implore thee to take under thy protection those who have abandoned the practice of their Catholic duties. May they be converted again and become faithful servants of thy Son. O Mother of Mercy, be for us all "the cause of our joy" and show unto us Jesus Christ, thy Son, as thy gift to us both for time and for eternity. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People:That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to Saint Peter

Priest: O glorious Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles and firm foundation of the Church, obtain for us a lively faith, which we may openly and fearlessly profess in its integrity and purity, even, if need be, to the shedding of our blood. Obtain for us also a true love of our Holy Mother the Church, and make us zealous in the fulfillment of our religious duties. We pray to you today to intercede for those who have wandered from the Church which Christ established for their salvation. May they receive from Almighty God, through your intercession, the grace to return speedily to their Father's love, so that they may enjoy here on earth peace and tranquillity, and one day attain everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

Seventh Day of the Octave: January 24

Intention of the Day: Conversion of the Jews

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Conversion of the Jews

Priest: Let us pray. O God, Who dost manifest Thy mercy and compassion towards all peoples, have mercy upon the Jewish race, once Thy Chosen People. Thou didst select them alone out of all the nations of the world to be the custodians of Thy sacred teachings. From them Thou didst raise up Prophets and Patriarchs to announce the coming of the Redeemer. Thou didst will that Thine only Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior, should be a Jew according to the flesh, born of a Jewish maiden in the Land of Promise. Listen to the prayers we offer Thee today for the conversion of the Jewish people. Grant that they may come safely to a knowledge and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah foretold by their Prophets, and that they may walk with us in the way of salvation. Amen.

Prayer of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion

Priest and People: God of all goodness and Father of mercies, we beseech Thee, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and by the intercession of the Patriarchs and holy Apostles, to cast a look of compassion upon the children of Israel, that they may be brought to the knowledge of our only Savior, Jesus Christ, and may partake of the precious fruits of the Redemption. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.

People: That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to Saint Paul

Priest: O holy Apostle Paul of Tarsus, from thy glorious place in heaven, look down upon the race thou didst love so well. True it is that many of them remained deaf to thy ringing words of truth, and that some of them even stirred up persecution against thee and thy fellow believers, but thou wert so devoted to thy people that thou didst will to become a castaway for the sake of their conversion. Now that thou art glorious in heaven, obtain for thy brethren the grace of repentance and conversion, so that they may finally take their rightful place in the great family of the Catholic Church. Amen.

Eighth Day of the Octave: January 25th

Intention of the day: The Missionary Conquest of the World for Christ

Antiphon

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 hast sent Me. (John 17:21)

V. I say unto thee that thou art Peter,

R. And upon this Rock I will build My Church.

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst untoThine Apostles peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and vouchsafe to grant unto Her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Conversion of Our Brethren

Priest: Let us pray. Eternal God, Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers have been created by Thee, and formed to Thine own image and likeness. Behold, O Lord, how to Thy dishonor hell is being filled with these same souls. Remember, O God, that for their salvation Thy Son Jesus Christ underwent a most cruel death. Do not permit, O Lord, that Thy Divine Son be any longer despised by unbelievers; but be appeased by the prayers of the Saints and of the Church, the Spouse of Thy most holy Son, and forgetting their idolatry and unbelief, grant that they may at last come to acknowledge Thy Son Jesus Christ, Who is our Salvation, Life and Resurrection, through Whom we have been saved and redeemed; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Priest and People: O Blessed Mother of God, whose stainless heart is full of mercy and compassion, look down in pity upon those who have not yet heard the tidings of the Gospel. Remember that they are the work of the hands of thy Son that they have been created in His image and redeemed by His Most Precious Blood. Obtain for these poor brethren of ours the knowledge of our Holy Faith, and the grace to love, embrace, and to practice it faithfully. Intercede at the throne of the Most High, O Mother, that many more missionaries may be sent to pagan lands, there to win souls for thy Divine Son. O Virgin Mother of God, pray that all of us may soon be united in one and the same hope, and in one and the same love. Attentive to the words of thy Divine Son, may we dwell in peace and happiness in the Church He instituted for our salvation. Amen.

Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement, intercede for us.

People: That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, "That all may be one."

Prayer to Saint Paul

Priest: O glorious Saint Paul, from a persecutor of the Christian name thou didst become an Apostle of burning zeal, and in order that Jesus Christ might become known to the furthermost bounds of the earth, thou didst joyfully suffer imprisonment, scourging, stoning, shipwreck, and every kind of persecution. Obtain for us now the grace to pray at all times for those who have not as yet been blessed with the gift of faith. Help us to use all our strength for the conversion of those who have not as yet heard the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

In addition to offering these and other prayers for groups separated from the Faith, we would do well to request priests to offer Masses for this intention and to offer Rosaries for those separated from Catholic Unity, including those who have fallen away from regular Sacramental life. In fact, the Church has attached indulgences in the Raccolta to pious practices for the propagation of the Faith. We should make it a point to do so throughout the year.