In celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which commences on January 18th and concludes on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul on January 24th, Christians worldwide are invited to unite in prayer for the love of God and neighbor. This annual initiative, spanning over fifty years, has seen the Catholic Church collaborate with diverse Christian communities to promote unity.

This year's theme, "You shall love the Lord your God... and your neighbor as yourself," centers around the parable of the Good Samaritan. The materials for this occasion were crafted by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso, supported by the local Chemin Neuf Community.

Monsignor Juan Usma Gomez, head of the Western Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, emphasizes the significance of the choice of Burkina Faso as the inspiration for this year's prayer week. Despite facing persecution and violence, Burkina Faso's Christian minority, comprising around 20% of the population, calls for prayers for love amid challenging circumstances.

"This year it is an African community, a persecuted Christian community, a minority Christian community in a very difficult situation," notes Monsignor Usma Gomez. "Perhaps the most important thing is that a persecuted minority Community is inviting us to pray for love, loving our neighbors, loving all those who are near to us, inspiring the Good Samaritan passage."

The Gospel account of the Good Samaritan is chosen to inspire reflection on how Africans embrace one another and to connect with the teachings of the Church Fathers. According to Monsignor Usma Gomez, the Church Fathers' insights elucidate the characters in the parable, where the Samaritan symbolizes Christ, the victim embodies humanity (Adam), and the inn represents the Church extending loving care to all, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, race, or community.

This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity encourages believers to follow the footsteps of the Good Samaritan and the teachings of the Church Fathers, fostering a sense of love and compassion towards one's neighbors, even in the face of adversity.