CHURCH UNITY OCTAVE The Pope's Blessing

The Holy Father this year sent a special blessing to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor, U.S.A., in recognition of their labours for the Church Unity Octave. The blessing was also for " all who will participate in the ceremonies and prayers."
The text of the message forwarded by the Apostolic Delegate to the U.S.A. is as follows:
" I am indeed p'leascd to inform you that as you prepare to hold the annual Church Unity Octave in this coating month of January, our Most Holy Father has very graciously deigned to impart to you, to all of your religious who arc devoting themselves to this work, and to all who will participate in the ceremonies and prayers of the Octave his special Apostolic Benediction, As I convey to you this august message of the Sovereign Pontiff, T wish to offer you my own personal good withcs and the assurance of my prayers for God's blessing on the Octave. It is most heartening and encouraging to. know of the great expansion which has characterised the influence of the Church Unity Octave in these recent years. and we can only Fejoice that at a time when the world is experiencing so sorely the need of unity. 50 many fervent prayers are rising to the Throne of God to obtain the priceless grace of that unity of faith which. in the Providence of God, must he the foundation of any attempt to insure unity of aims and action among all men."