Ecumenical celebration

Introduction

This celebration reflects the ways in which the sisters of Grandchamp pray. In this tradition three of the monastic prayer services – sometimes called ‘vigils’ or ‘nocturns’ in the Benedictine tradition– traditionally said during the night are combined into one evening service. In the same way, our service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is shaped by three sections, called ‘vigils’, which follow a pattern used by the community of Grandchamp.

Each vigil follows the same pattern: readings from scripture; a sung response; a time of silence; and intercessions. Each vigil also has an action reflecting its theme; these are outlined below. Each ends with the singing of Light of God (Lumière de Dieu), composed by a member of the community of Grandchamp.

The first vigil is centred on the unity of the whole person and our abiding in Christ. Participants are invited to five minutes of silence. These moments are repeated throughout the celebration.

The second vigil expresses the desire to rediscover the visible unity of Christians. Anchored in the love of Christ, we turn to our neighbours and exchange with each other a sign of his peace.

The third vigil opens us up to the unity of all peoples, all creation. The action in it is inspired by a text of Dorotheus of Gaza (see introduction). Several people are positioned around a circle, and move towards the centre. The closer we move to God

the centre – the closer we draw to each

There is a variety of ways in which this action may be choreographed depending on the space being used, and the traditions of those involved. The following may serve as a guide:

Each person in the congregation will need to have an unlit
Organisers may wish to consider whether it is possible for the congregation to be “in the round” with radial aisles to facilitate this
A large, raised lit candle (for example the Easter candle in many traditions) is set as the central point of a
Six to eight people from different Christian traditions surround the candle in a circle that may be outlined on the ground, or shaped by the congregation’s sitting in the round.
Each of these people carries a small unlit candle raised high so all can
During the reading accompanying the action (see p. 17), each person in the circle takes steps at the same pace towards the
When they reach the centre they light their unlit candles and return to the congregation. Everyone’s candle is then
During the lighting of the congregation’s candles, Lumière de Dieu (Light of God) is
Everyone holds their lighted candle through to the Dismissal. In some places, where it is appropriate and practicable, the congregations may process out of the place of worship into the wider world, with candles

The litany at the beginning can be read or sung – if possible, by two different people. The psalms can also be read or sung, or replaced by a hymn related to the theme of the vigil. The responses during the prayers of intercession can be read, sung or replaced by others. The intercessions can be prolonged by adding time for free prayer.

Order of the Celebration

Abide in my love
and you shall bear much fruit

(cf. Jn 15:5-9)

L:    Leader
C:    Congregation
R:     Reader

Invitation to prayer

Entrance Hymn

A hymn invoking the Holy Spirit (to be chosen locally)

Word of Welcome

L May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always!

C And also with you.

R1 Brothers and sisters in Christ, this year the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, chosen by the sisters of the Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland, is: “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”.

R2 It is the great desire of God, expressed by Jesus, that we might come to him and abide in him. He waits for us tirelessly, hoping that, united to him in love, we will bear fruit that will bring life to all. Faced with the difference of ‘the other’, we risk withdrawing into ourselves and seeing only that which separates us. But let us listen to how Christ calls us to abide in his love, and so bear much fruit.

R1 In the three moments of prayer that follow, we remember the call of Christ, we turn to his love, to him who is the centre of our life. For the path of unity begins in our intimate relationship with God. Abiding in his love strengthens the desire to seek unity and reconciliation with others. God opens us up to those who are different from us. This is an important fruit, a gift of healing for the divisions within us, between us, and in the world.

L In peace let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, you are the vinedresser who cares for us with love.
You call on us to see the beauty of each branch united to the vine, the beauty of each person.
And yet, too often the differences in others make us afraid. We withdraw into ourselves.
Our trust in you is forsaken. Enmity develops between us.

Come and direct our hearts toward you once again.
Grant us to live from your forgiveness
so that we may be together and praise your name.

Litany of praise

C     You who call us to be praise in the midst of the earth: glory to you!
R1   We sing your praise in the midst of the world and among all peoples,
R2   We sing your praise in the midst of creation and among all creatures.

C     You who call us to be praise in the midst of the earth: glory to you!
R1   We sing your praise among suffering and tears,
R2   We sing your praise among promises and achievements.

C     You who call us to be praise in the midst of the earth: glory to you!
R1   We sing your praise in the places of conflict and misunderstanding;
R2   We sing your praise in the places of encounter and reconciliation.

C    You who call us to be praise in the midst of the earth: glory to you!
R1   We sing your praise in the midst of rifts and divisions,
R2      We sing your praise in the midst of life and death, the birth of a new heaven and a new earth.

C You who call us to be praise in the midst of the earth: glory to you!

First Vigil
Abiding in Christ: The unity of the whole person

Psalm: 103

Reading: Jn 15:1-17

Response: Ubi caritas

Short silence (approximately 1 minute)

Intercessions

R God of love, through Christ you said to us: “You did not choose me but I chose you”. You seek us, you invite us to receive your friendship and abide in it. Teach us to respond more deeply to this invitation, and grow in a life that is ever more complete.

C The joy of our heart is in God.

R God of life, you call us to be praise in the midst of the world and to welcome one another as a gift of your grace. May your loving gaze, which rests upon each person, open us to receive each other just as we are.

C The joy of our heart is in God.

R God who gathers, you knit us together as one vine in your Son Jesus. May your loving Spirit abide in us at parish meetings and local ecumenical gatherings. Grant that together we might celebrate you with joy.

C The joy of our heart is in God.

R God of the one vineyard, you call us to abide in your love in all we do and say. Touched by your goodness, grant us to be a reflection of that love in our homes and workplaces. May we pave the way for bridging rivalries and overcoming tensions.

C The joy of our heart is in God.

Action : A time of silence

R Very often we think of prayer as something we do, an activity of our own. In this short time we are invited to an interior silence, and to turn aside from all the noise and concerns of our lives and thoughts. In this silence the action belongs to God. We are simply called to abide in God’s love, to rest in him.

Silence (approximately 5 minutes)

Hymn: Lumière de Dieu (Light of God)

Second Vigil
The visible unity of Christians

Psalm: 85

Reading: 1 Cor 1:10-13

Response: There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Short silence (approximately 1 minute)

Intercessions

R Holy Spirit, you create and re-create the church in all places. Come and whisper in our hearts the prayer which Jesus addressed to his Father on the eve of his passion: “that they may all be one … so that the world may believe”.