Today begins the Church unity Octave (January 18th). It used to be the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter in Rome. (It still is in the EF). this idea came from Fr. Paul of Graymoor and he promulgated it in 1907, two years before he entered the Church. Like many Protestants, he was seeking the truth and he was seeking unity. They felt unity was absolutely necessary, yet Christianity seemed to become more and more fragmented. Fr. Paul was Anglican, like Blessed John Henry Newman. The following is his original novena for this intention. It was formally approved by Pope St. Pius X, then Blessed John XXIII and Pope Paul VI.

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.

Now consider the intention for this particular day, and say the following prayer:

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.

Intentions for each day.
January 18 — The union of all Christians in the one true Faith and in the Church
January 19 — The return of separated Eastern Christians to communion with the Holy See
January 20 — The reconciliation of Anglicans with the Holy See
January 21 — The reconciliation of European Protestants with the Holy See
January 22 — That American Christians become one in union with the Chair of Peter
January 23 — The restoration of lapsed Catholics to the sacramental life of the Church
January 24 — That the Jewish people come into their inheritance in Jesus Christ
January 25 — The missionary extension of Christ’s kingdom throughout the world