The Diocese of Grand Rapids is inviting Christians around the world joined in a communion for the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which took place earlier this month.

“Each year, Christians around the world recall the prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John, 17:21, ‘That they all may be one.’ Pray daily throughout the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity using the Daily Scripture & Prayer Guide (English and Spanish) found on our website, or follow the Cathedral of Saint Andrew on Facebook for the daily prayers beginning today,” the Diocese of Grand Rapids wrote on Facebook.

According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Week of Prayer goes back more than 100 years, as Christians have long participated in an octave of prayer for Christian unity. The theme selected this year by the Middle East Council of Churches uses an excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew stating, “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him.”

This verse is said to highlight the Eastern Churches’ tradition of celebrating the Epiphany in connection to the Baptism of Christ and the unity of all Christians through baptism, the website states. Last year’s theme came from the Gospel of John, selected by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland, “Abide in my love …You shall bear much fruit."

On the evening before the Week of Prayer for Christina Unity began, Pope Francis delivered an address to the Ecumenical Delegation from Finland, the Vatican News reports. During his address, Francis tied this year’s theme in with the theme of the Synod, “journeying together.”