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Friars' Student Writing Contest 2025

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 2025 Friars' Student Writing Contest. 

"Do you believe this?" – cf. John 11:26 

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:

At the request of Martha and Mary, Jesus gives new life to his friend Lazarus (John 11:26). Where is this miracle needed today? How can you and our faith communities participate in bringing this new life about? Conclude your essay by composing a prayer to Jesus to help us reach out to those in need as friends and disciples.

Prizes:

1st Place Prize:

Google Pixel 8a 128GB

Google Pixel 8a 128GB

2nd Place Prize:

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

3rd Place Prize:

Google Pixel Watch 2 (GPS) 40mm

Google Pixel Watch 2 (GPS) 40mm

Contest Rules:

  1. The essay should focus on the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from the Gospel of John 11:26, "Do you believe this?" Please read John 11:17-43 for full understanding.
  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 13, 2025, 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.

For any enquiries contact ecumenical@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400, ext. 527


Deadline for entries is Monday, January 13, 2025, 2:00PM EST.