Join in praying for the unity of the Church
In keeping with Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s request for an archdiocesan service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Commission for Christian Unity for the Archdiocese of Newark held a service for the Week of Prayer in St. Mary’s, the church of Newark Abbey.
The service was small because of Covid-19 restrictions and did not include Christians from other churches. Hopefully, next year, a larger and more ecumenical service will be celebrated.
This year’s service was developed by the Eastern Churches and had the overall theme “We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2) The order of service shared by the bishops of the United States was followed. It consisted of a service of the Word, with three Scripture readings; from Isaiah 9, Ephesians 5, and the story of the visit of the Magi from Matthew 2.
The second part of the service, after the homily, consisted of a series of prayers for the unity of the one Church of Jesus Christ and the healing of divisions among the churches of Christendom.
After the prayers, members of the congregation were invited to attach additional stars to the banner, symbolizing their commitment to the ongoing work of Church unity.
The service was led by Father Luke Edelen, O.S.B., chair of the Commission for Christian Unity for the Archdiocese of Newark. Participating in the service were two other members of the Commission, Father Philip Latronico, who is also chair of the Commission for Interreligious Affairs, and myself, Dr. Peter Ahr, emeritus professor of religion at Seton Hall University.
Father Augustine Curley, O.S.B., the prior of the abbey, and Father Albert Holz, O.S.B. also participated in the service; Father Albert gave the homily. Also participating in the service were Father Linus Edogwo, resident at the abbey, and two Sisters of St. Joseph who have served at St. Mary’s School for many years, Sister Maureen Patricia Walsh and Sister Ann Marie Gass. Sister Ann is presently head of the Elementary Division of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School (K-6).
Brother Bruno Mello, O.S.B., of the abbey, taped the service for broadcast and took the photo of the participants. All Christians and all people of goodwill are invited to listen to Cardinal Tobin and to prayerfully join in following the service included above in this article, or by clicking here.
The altar of the abbey church was draped in a blue cloth decorated with stars to represent the star in the East of the Epiphany story, and a centerpiece of the celebration was a painting by Father Maynard Nagengast, O.S.B. copying the Adoration of the Magi painted by Peter Paul Rubens for the cathedral of Antwerp, Belgium. The photograph shows the participants in the service around the painting; masks were removed for the photo.
The author, Dr. Peter Ahr, is emeritus professor of religion at Seton Hall University.
Featured image: The Commission for Christian Unity for the Archdiocese of Newark held a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at St. Mary’s, the church of Newark Abbey. A centerpiece of the celebration was a painting by Father Maynard Nagengast, O.S.B. copying the Adoration of the Magi painted by Peter Paul Rubens for the cathedral of Antwerp, Belgium. Participants in the service are gathered around the painting. (Photo courtesy of Brother Bruno Mello, O.S.B.)
