By Viktoriia Havaleshko
As a community rooted in dialogue as a core value, The Lay Centre took part in two significant events during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity—an annual initiative that, since 1908, has brought together believers of different denominations in common prayer and reflection on biblical themes.
In keeping with tradition, the community joined the Centro Pro Unione in organizing a public lecture and an ecumenical prayer service at Piazza Navona, the very place where The Lay Centre was founded. A group of community members also attended the ecumenical Vespers presided over by Pope Leo XIV, which brought the Week’s celebrations to a close.
One Faith, One Baptism, One God
“We are one! We already are! Let us recognize it, experience it and make it visible!”, – said Pope Leo XIV while preaching at Vespers in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, on January 25, before representatives of various Christian denominations.
The Lay Centre community took part in the prayer service marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In his homily, the Pontiff emphasized that the mission of the Apostle Paul – to proclaim Christ – remains a shared responsibility of all Christians today.
He underlined that every genuine encounter with the Savior is transformative in nature and directs Christians toward a shared responsibility: building up the Body of Christ, which is the Church.
While acknowledging that differences among Christians persist, the Holy Father noted that these divisions do not obscure the light of Christ, though they can make common witness to the Gospel more challenging in the world. For this reason, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers an opportunity to renew the commitment to making the unity that already exists more visible.
Referring to the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 4:4–6), the biblical theme of this year’s Week of Prayer, the Pope reminded those gathered that Christians are already united by one baptism, one faith, and one Lord, and are called to manifest that unity visible through their shared witness.
Centro Pro Unione: Praying for Unity
A shared prayer service and an evening of theological reflection were organized by the Centro Pro Unione in collaboration with The Lay Centre on January 22, on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The ecumenical prayer, led by The Lay Centre community, was inspired by the Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Eph 4:4). Participants were invited to reflect on what image of Christianity people outside the Church encounter through concrete actions, personal attitudes, and relationships with one another.
The main preacher was Commissioner Bente S. Gudersen, from the Salvation Army in the Netherlands.
Are we Christians who reveal the face of Christ in our lives? We are one Body of Christ – the One who forgives, helps, inspires, heals, gives generously, and saves.
The ecumenical prayer thus became a tangible sign that, despite different traditions and ecclesial structures, Christians are called above all to fix their gaze on Christ, who fills all creation with love and breathes life into our humanity.
Before the prayer service, the main speaker of the evening was Monsignor Gabriel Quicke, Rector of the Royal Belgian Church and of the Saint Julian of the Flemings Foundation.
In his talk, he focused on the theme of the “ecumenism of the martyrs,” highlighting that those who give their lives for the faith do so not as members of particular denominations, but as Christians faithful to Christ. For this reason, the ecumenism of the martyrs represents one of the deepest expressions of Christian unity.
Monsignor Quicke also drew attention to the ecumenical initiatives of Pope Francis, particularly in the context of honoring and beatifying martyrs from different Christian traditions. He stressed that Christ is the common archetype of all martyrs, and that participation in His Body constitutes the foundation of the Church’s shared mission.
