Exploring Unity in Rome: A Week with Bossey Ecumenical Institute Students
Each autumn, the World Council of Churches welcomes a diverse group of around 40 students to the picturesque Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. These students, hailing from various corners of the globe and representing different Christian traditions, come together in an 18th-century Swiss chateau to live, pray, and study as one community. As part of their semester-long program at Bossey, the students embark on a special journey to Rome for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
This year, Vatican News had the privilege of speaking with two participants from Bossey – Tobias Adam from the Protestant Church in Switzerland and the Rev. Veronica Brilliant from Indonesia’s Batak Christian Protestant Church.
A Week in Rome
Upon their arrival in Rome on the 19th of January, the Bossey students are set to spend a transformative week in the Eternal City until the 26th. Their itinerary includes engaging in prayer services, visiting Vatican Dicasteries and Rome’s iconic churches, and exploring the historical marvels of the city.
Reflecting on their experiences, the Rev. Brilliant expressed her excitement at meeting officials from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, a topic she had studied at Bossey. Adam, on the other hand, found the opportunity to step inside the grand Vatican buildings and interact with the people behind the scenes to be enlightening and enriching.
Week of Prayer
The students’ presence in Rome coincides with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed annually from the 18th to the 25th of January. Adam emphasized the significance of this week in fostering a sense of unity through shared prayers and understanding of diverse traditions. The Rev. Brilliant drew inspiration from Pope John Paul II’s encyclical “Ut Unum Sint”, highlighting the unity found in Christ despite individual differences.
As the students immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Christian unity in Rome, they embody the spirit of ecumenism and solidarity that transcends boundaries and embraces the common faith in the triune God.
Follow their journey of discovery and unity as they navigate the ancient streets of Rome and forge connections that bridge denominational divides, embodying the essence of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
