# Unite all Christians into a single family – Prayer: O Mary, Mother of the Church
*2016-01-19*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Sebastian and shares Pope Paul VI’s prayer to the Virgin Mary asking for the unity of all Christians into one family.

## Feast of St. Sebastian

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is January 20, the feast day of St. Sebastian. Very little is historically certain about him beyond the fact that he was a third‑century Roman martyr, venerated in Milan even in the time of St. Ambrose, and that he was ultimately clubbed to death rather than killed by the arrows for which he is often depicted. We pray to St. Sebastian on his feast day.

## Why We Pray for Unity

This week in church I was reminded that we are in a special week of prayer for the unity of all Christians into a single family. Pope Paul VI composed a beautiful prayer to the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, asking her intercession for that very unity. As Catholics we enjoy many gifts—daily Holy Communion, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a rich theological tradition—that many of our fellow Christians do not share. That makes the desire for unity all the more urgent.

## The Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

O Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, to you we entrust the whole Church, you who have been given as a mother to the beloved disciples by the Divine Son at the moment of His redemptive death. Remember the Christian people who commend themselves to you. Remember all your children. Sustain us in our prayers to God. Keep our faith steadfast, strengthen our hope, increase our love. Remember all those who suffer. Unite all Christians into a single faith, the temple of light without shadow or stain, and lead us before your Only‑Begotten Son, the Mediator of our reconciliation with the Father, that He may grant us mercy and keep far from us every discord. Fill our hearts with the joy of love and grant that the whole Church may always raise praise and thanksgiving to the God of mercy, a hymn of joy and exultation, because the Lord has done great things through you. O loving, sweet Virgin Mary, Amen.

## A Prayer for All People

Lord, we pray for all our brothers and sisters everywhere—Christians, Jews, Muslims, followers of all religions, and even those who do not believe in God. May they all come together in the true love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

*May we, guided by Mary, strive for the unity of all peoples in Christ.*