![]() ![]() Eternal Word Incarnate, Redeemer of the human race, convert all souls to Thyself, since for them Thou wast obedient, even to the death of the Cross. Through the sacred mysteries of human redemption, send, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest, and spare Thy people. January 25: That missionary zeal will conquer the world for Christ.Įternal Father, by Thy infinite mercy, and by the infinite merits of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, make Thyself known and loved by all souls, since it is Thy will that all should be saved.January 24: That the Jewish people will be converted to the Catholic Faith.January 23: That lapsed Catholics will return to the Sacraments of the Church.January 22: That Christians in America may be one, in union with the Chair of Saint Peter.January 21: For the return of all Protestants throughout the world to the unity of the Catholic Church.January 20: For the return of the Anglicans to the authority of the Vicar of Christ.January 19: For the return of the Eastern Orthodox Christians to communion with the Apostolic See.January 18: For the return of the “other sheep” to the One Fold of our Lord Jesus Christ.The official 1908 intentions for each day are as follows: Since it is imperative we all be praying for the same intentions, I have restructured the Novena somewhat. ![]() Note from the editor: We have been informed the intentions listed here before were not the same as those approved by the Supreme Pontiff in 1908. Finally, we are exhorted to pray and to work for that unity which results from our own humble obedience, respect, and loyalty to the Apostolic Authority of the Church, which will, in fulfillment of Christ's promise, remain with us as His very own Presence, even unto the consummation of the world. The Church also prays for that unity which draws her faithful children closer together in a spirit of humility and charity, by their fervent living of the great "law of love" taught by Jesus Christ Our Lord. To imagine, as do the liberal ecumenists of our day, that we can achieve "unity" by pretending that those outside the Church do not stand in desperate need of conversion, is to deny the foundation of Christ's True Church, and to renounce the very reason for the heroic apostolic labors and martyrdom of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Thus, each of the days of the Chair of Unity Octave is dedicated to prayers for the conversion of some poor segment of mankind which is still "walking in darkness," imploring that they may open their hearts to God's grace, and return to the true Shepherd of their souls. Therefore, His Church has now, and will always have, that Unity (or oneness) of teaching, worship, and government which is so evidently a sign of truth, "the same yesterday, today, and the same forever." It was for this reason that Christ established Peter as "the Rock", or Foundation of His Church, against which the Gates of Hell could never prevail.Ĭonsistent with Christ's words, therefore, the only unity for which the Church and her faithful children can pray, is that which results from the conversion of those who are outside the One, True Fold of the Church. As Jesus asked "that they may be one.", His prayer was immediately granted by the Eternal Father, as it was the request (on the very eve of His death) of His Only Begotten Son, to Whom nothing is refused. As Catholics know, one of the chief essential "Marks" (or visible qualities) of the Church established by Christ is that Unity for which He prayed at the Last Supper. These eight days of solemn prayer for Unity possess a doctrinal significance which is of critical importance. Paul-for the observance of "The Chair of Unity Octave" in which eight days are set apart for solemn prayers entreating God to unite His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Peter's Chair at Rome until the Feast of the Conversion of St. Thus, She has reserved eight days of solemn prayer-from the Feast of St. Paul, a "vessel of election" for the spread of the infant Church. Peter, with Her veneration for the zeal and holiness of St. Holy Mother Church has always united her praises for the Prince of the Apostles, St. The Feast of his Conversion is observed on January 25th. Paul the Apostle likewise came to Rome towards the close of his apostolic career, and was also martyred there for Christ. This Feast also enshrines the solemn dogma of Papal Infallibility, and the Supreme Apostolic Authority conferred upon St. Peter did in fact travel to Rome to establish his See, and there shed his blood for our Crucified Savior Jesus Christ. Yet, following his seven year reign in Antioch, St. Peter's Chair at Rome on January 18th was instituted in response to the ridiculous rumor spread by ignorant Protestant heretics that St. Peter is the Foundation Stone of Christ's True Church (cf. ![]()
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