This is a special year for ecumenism. Fifty years have gone by since the publication of Unitatis Redintegratio, the Second Vatican Council Decree on Ecumenism, which promotes unity among all Christians. The document denounces division, which openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages the holy cause of preaching the Gospel to every creature. Many steps have been made by Christian Churches during these 50 years: asking for forgiveness; recognizing each other as brothers and sisters; efforts to overcome the thorniest issues even from a theological point of view. These 50 years have been a dialogue of life. This year’s Week of Prayer, which was prepared by Christians from Canada and celebrated in many great and small ways, acquired significance and power when considered in this larger context. Paco and Pilar, Catholics from Spain: “In Caceres we held an hour of prayer with brothers and sisters from the Evangelical Church. It was so beautiful to unite in praying the Lord’s Prayer. A grand experience!” Jacqueline Reyes” “Here in Ecuador we had an octave of ecumenical celebrations. There was a strong spirit of brotherhood and joy. This is a path of hope.” In Pozzuoli, Italy, it was an intense moment of encounter between Catholics and Evangelical Christians from the Baptist Church, with the unexpected participation not only of the Pastor, but also the congregation. We were all ‘the people next door’, people who knew one another from the market, the hospital, the workplace . . . it was so simple and triggered a relationship of trust. Music was provided by musicians from the various groups who formed a single orchestra, learning and playing the hymns of each other’s churches. The Offertory was very inspiring: the presentation of a Bible representing the Word; a bouquet of flowers representing the harmony and beauty of unity in diversity; a scroll with the words of Jesus’ Testament; a TAO and apron representing service.” In Sardinia, Italy, pastors and representatives of all the Churches in Cagliari gathered in St. Helen’s Greek Orthodox Church. There were Lutherans, Baptists, Adventists, priests from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Romanian Orthodox Churches. Throughout the octave these Churches held prayer meetings according to the style of their liturgical traditions. The Baptists presented a Bible study on the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians; the Adventists a moment of reflection and song that had been proposed for the Week of Prayer; Catholic seminarians from the regional seminary did the same. The Orthodox prepared vespers and the common ecumenical celebration that had been prepared by a mixed group of members from all the Churches was held on Sunday, January 19. Anna and Vittorio write: “It was a week in which personal relationships grew among representatives of the Churches, even relationships that had been going ahead for many years.” Who knows what other (extra)ordinary things happened elsewhere in the world during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. You are invited to write us your story at: www.focolare.org!