The Octave is a period of eight
days of prayer (Jan. 18-25) for the reunion of Christendom, the return
of lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of unbelievers. It was founded
by Fr. Paul James Francis, S.A. in 1908 and blessed by St. Pius X in
1909. Since then it has spread to all parts of the Catholic world. The
intentions of the Octave are given below.
Daily Intentions
Jan.
18. FEAST OF ST. PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME [formerly]. The return of all
the "other sheep" to the one Fold of St. Peter, the One Shepherd.
Jan. 19. The return of all Oriental Separatists to Communion with the Apostolic See.
Jan. 20. The submission of Anglicans to the Authority of the Vicar of Christ.
Jan. 21. That the Lutherans and all other Protestants (of Continental Europe) may find their way "Back to Holy Church."
Jan. 22. That Christians in America may become One in Communion with the Chair of St. Peter.
Jan. 23. The return to the Sacraments of lapsed Catholics.
Jan. 24. The conversion of the Jews.
Jan. 25. FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. The Missionary conquest of the world for Christ.
What We Pray For
The
unity which all men desire in these dark days cannot be had apart from
Jesus Christ; everyone who professes to be Christian admits this. But
the unity which Christ offers is that of one fold and one shepherd. The
Octave aims to secure for all men this unity of Christ.
As
Fr. Paul said: "There is no other unity possible in the divine economy
save that which is built upon the same foundation as the one on which
Christ Jesus, the Lord and Master, founded His Church, and you know what
that foundation is: . . . ‘And I say to thee that thou art Peter, and
upon this Rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven (by which He meant His Church) and whatever thou shalt bind upon
earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever thou shalt loose upon
earth shall be loosed also in heaven.’. . . When, therefore, you unite
with us in the observance of the Unity Octave it should be to pray
specifically that all those who, down through the centuries, have been
separated from the Chair of Peter at Rome, may return to Catholic
communion, that is to say, communion with the Apostolic See."
The Official Octave Prayer
Form
of Prayer Decreed by Pope Benedict XV to be recited daily during the
Octave. 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 has sent Me.
—John 17:21
V. I say unto thee thou art Peter.
R. And upon this Rock I will build my Church.
PRAYER
O
Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto Thine Apostles: Peace I leave with
you, My Peace I give unto you: regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy
Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which are agreeable to
Thy will; Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.
Indulgences
(attached
to official prayer) Granted by rescript of December 10, 1946, by His
Holiness, Pope Pius XII, through Nicola Cardinal Canali.1. Partial
indulgence of 800 days on each day of the Octave in any Church or public
oratory where the exercise is performed.2. Plenary indulgence under
usual conditions at the completion of the Octave.
Lord
Jesus, most gracious Saviour of the world, we humbly beg of Thee by Thy
Most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep now wandering astray may be
converted to Thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls: Who livest
and reignest world without end. Amen. (Raccolta, 625: 500 days)
Prayer to Our Lady
Priest
and People: O Virgin Immaculate who was preserved by a singular
privilege of grace from original sin look down with pity upon our
separated brethren who are still your children and call them back to the
Center of Unity. Many have, even from afar preserved a most tender
devotion towards you, 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 your existence renew, now that the
necessity is more urgent your triumphant progress, as in ages past.
Glorify your Son, O Mother by bringing back to the One Fold His straying
sheep making them obedient to the guidance of the universal Shepherd
who is His Vicar on earth. And may it be your glory, O Virgin Mary to
banish error from the earth to put an end to disunity and to restore
peace to the world. Amen. (Raccolta, 627: 500 days.)
Our Lady of the Atonement, intercede for us that there may be fulfilled the prayer of your divine Son: That all may be one.
Prayer to St. Peter
O
glorious Saint Peter, who, in return for thy lively and generous faith,
thy profound and sincere humility, and thy burning love, wast honored
by Jesus Christ with singular privileges, and in particular, with the
leadership of the other Apostles and the primacy of the whole Church, of
which thou wast made the foundation stone, do thou obtain for us the
grace of a lively faith, that shall not fear to profess itself openly,
in its entirety and in all of its manifestations, even to the shedding
of blood, if occasion should demand it, and to the sacrifice of life
itself in preference to surrender. Obtain for us likewise, a sincere
loyalty to our holy mother, the Church; grant that we may ever remain
most closely and sincerely united to the Roman Pontiff, who is the heir
of thy faith and of thy authority, the one, true, visible Head of the
Catholic Church, that mystic ark outside which there is no salvation.
Grant, moreover, that we may follow, in all humility and meekness, her
teaching and her counsels, and may be obedient to all her precepts, in
order to be able here on earth to enjoy a peace that is sure and
undisturbed, and to attain one day in heaven to everlasting happiness.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, Saint Peter the Apostle.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET
US PRAY O God, who hast given unto Thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys
of the kingdom of heaven, and the power to bind and loose: grant that we
may be delivered, through the help of his intercession, from the bonds
of all our sins: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
(Raccolta, 484: 500 days.)
How to observe the Octave:
1. Recite official prayer daily.
2. Assist at Mass and receive Communion daily.
3. Pray the Rosary daily for Unity.
4. Attend Octave exercises in parish church or parish in vicinity; bring non-Catholic friends with you.
5. Visit the Blessed Sacrament; make the Way of the Cross; perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
6. Offer daily action for Unity.
7. Read Catholic literature.
8. Give good example to Catholics and non-Catholics.
Imprimi Potest:Angelus F. Delahunt, S.A., Superior Geoeral
Nihil Obstat:Edward Haoahoe, S.A., Censor Deputatus
Imprimatur:X Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York
The
Nihil Ohstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a hook or
pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is
contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and
Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.
From an original leaflet published by
Chair of Unity Octave
FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF THE ATONEMENT
Graymoor, Garrison, New York
From: http://www.revcastor.com/unity_octave.htm
