Friars' Student Writing Contest 2024

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement-Graymoor, the Office for Promoting Christian Unity of the Archdiocese of Toronto, and The Catholic Register are proud to present the 2024 Friars' Student Writing Contest. 

"You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself." – Luke 10:27 

The theme and resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are prepared and published by Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican) and Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

Essay Question:

Luke 10:27 is taken from the parable of the Good Samaritan which carries a message of love, compassion, humility, mercy, and a culture of encounter for reconciliation and healing.

How are you personally challenged to live this parable? And, in what ways can the churches work together to give witness to this good news in your city? Conclude your essay with a prayer, expressing hope for love in action, especially for those most wounded and in need of the healing of God from the disciples of Jesus.

Prizes:

1st Place Prize:

Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB

Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB - Phantom Black

2nd Place Prize:

Apple AirPods Pro gen2

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

3rd Place Prize:

Sonos One Smart Speaker

Sonos One Smart Speaker (2nd Gen)

Contest Rules:

  1. The essay should focus on the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from the Gospel of Luke10:27, “You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself.” Please read Luke 10:25-37 for a full insight of the parable.
  2. The contestants should consult resources of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 and submit a 450- 500-word essay that answers the given focus question.
  3. Contestants must be 13-19 years of age, and currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school or equivalent program.
  4. The essay must be submitted on or before Monday, January 15, 2024, by 2:00pm EST. Late entries will not be included in the Writing Contest. 
  5. Entries must include the contestant's full name, email address, phone number and the name of their school/school board.

All submissions will be read by a panel including professional journalists and the Director of the Office for Promoting Christian Unity, Archdiocese of Toronto, and judged on overall merit.


Deadline for entries is Monday, January 15, 2024, 2:00PM EST.