Month: August 2021

Stories of Resilience and Faith: Ukrainians Endure the War

A Chronicle of Daily Struggles and Unyielding Hope in Ukraine, Sept. 11-18, 2023

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian people exemplify remarkable resilience and unwavering faith. From the relentless nights of war to the unwavering dedication of the Capuchin brothers providing essential ministry and support, these stories shed light on the transformative power of faith and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. As we explore their journeys, we witness their determination to rise above adversity, their unwavering hope for a just peace, and the profound influence of their faith in guiding them through the darkest times.

Night 564: Seeking peace in God.

Night attacks are taking place along the border district and the Dnipropetrovsk region. God give us a just peace!

A Word comes to us for the time of war — and beyond!

“Only in God seek peace, my soul, for from Him comes my hope.

“Only He is my rock and salvation, He is my fortress, so I will not falter.

“At all times trust in Him, O nation.

“Before Him pour out your hearts, God is our refuge.”

And:

“My sheep listen to My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. Listen and you will live!”

God is love!

Beatified on Sunday were the Ulma family from Markowa; they were executed in 1944 by the Nazis for hiding Jews in their home.

In Uzhhorod, the first evening Eucharist in the catechetical year took place with the participation of children.

Elsewhere, our brothers on their annual monastic retreat hit the road this week to Starokonstantin for the annual monastic retreat.

In Kyiv, meanwhile, several residential houses, an administration building, and a school were damaged by rocket attacks or shrapnel.

Night 566: Rolling away “the old man,” putting on the “new.”

We had a peaceful night, but only in our provinces (or “oblasts”). In the border and coastal regions, there was still fighting and drone attacks. God, give us a just peace!

Today’s Word is long and abundant — it is worth stopping, reading and, above all, listening to it all.

“Brothers: If you have risen from the dead together with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ resides, seated at the right hand of God. Strive for what is above, not for what is on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our Life, appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.

“So inflict death on that which is mundane in the members: debauchery, impurity, lust, evil desire and greed, for it is idolatry. Because of them God’s wrath is coming on the sons of rebellion. And you once acted in this way when you lived by it. And now you also reject all these things: anger, fervor, malice, insult, shameful speech coming out of your mouth.

“Do not lie to one another, for you have rolled away the old man with his deeds, and have clothed yourselves with the new man, who is still being renewed toward a deeper knowledge of God, in the image of Him who created him. And here there is no longer Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but all in all is Christ.”

In Vovchansk, in the Kharkov region, more attacks fell on residential houses; fortunately, there were no casualties among the residents. In the Chernihiv region, a Russian drone hit a five-story residential house; thank God there were no fatalities here either. According to the United Nations, more than 9,600 civilians have been killed in Ukraine by Russian attacks over the past year and a half. God, grant us a just peace, and to the dead an eternal peace.

Night 569: A wartime ‘Rosary Uprising’ for peace.

We had a quieter night than the previous nights, with fewer alarms and drone attacks. God, grant us a just peace!

Our Capuchin retreat is coming to an end. We thank those who prayed for us as we start returning to our homes.

I don’t know if St. Paul’s words apply to you, but they certainly apply to me: God loves the sinner!

“It is a doctrine worthy of faith and deserving of complete recognition that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. But I received mercy in order that in me first Jesus Christ should show all magnanimity as an example to those who will believe in Him for eternal life. And to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, God alone, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” God is love!

In Krasilow, there was a “Rosary Uprising” this week. Our Capuchin sisters write that these events have been taking place in the city on every 13th day of the month for many, many years. Participants ask Mary for peace, reconciliation and forgiveness.

Night 570: Wisdom in war: Forgive transgressions and stop hating.

Night was very difficult. In the morning, all of Ukraine was “red,” with alarms all over the territory — and especially in the western regions. In the Kherson region, nighttime Russian rockets destroyed a school.

The wisdom from today’s Word is unequivocal and can give us wisdom for times of war and beyond:

“Anger and wrath are abominations to which a sinner clings.”

“Forgive transgression to your neighbor, and then, when you beg, your sins will be forgiven you.”

“Remember the final things and stop hating — the decay of the flesh, death, and keep the commandments! Remember the commandments and do not hate your neighbor.”

St. Paul himself notes: “Brethren, none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. And, therefore, in life and in death we belong to the Lord. For this purpose Christ died and came back to life, that he might reign over the dead as well as over the living.”

Be merciful, as God is merciful. God is love!

The Silent Echoes of Ukraine’s War Nights

In the quiet embrace of September 2023, Ukraine sang a mournful lullaby, harmonized by the stark contrast of peace and war. A hymn of hope, faith, and resilience was woven into the daily lives of its people, each note bearing testimony to the human spirit’s invincibility.

September 5, 2023, Tuesday – The 558th War Night

The stillness of this night was unlike previous ones. As the gentle dusk settled, the border regions with Russia remained restless. In the midst of such uncertainty, a divine voice whispered, “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that that day should surprise you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day.”

In the shadow of war, Odesa’s port buildings bore witness to destruction. The grain, the lifeblood of many, fell victim to acts that could only be termed as Russian terrorism. Even Kyiv’s schools, centers of learning and hope, were shrouded in the shadow of mines.

Yet, even in these times, the spirit of solidarity shone through. The Polish Embassy’s donation of power generators to Vinnitsa illuminated the intertwined destinies of neighboring nations. This thread of unity was further reflected in Brother Adam Wróbel’s tireless efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Kherson and its surrounding regions.

“God is love! We live in war, but we do not live by war.”

 

September 6, 2023, Wednesday – The 559th War Night

This night was tumultuous, a dance of dread and anticipation. As the anti-missile systems roared over Kyiv, they sang a duet of defense and hope. As dawn approached, Ukraine was bathed in red alerts, a stark contrast to the message from Colossae, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father!”

In the heart of this chaos, the “Nazareth” school in Kyiv opened its doors, a beacon of normalcy for children and parents alike. In Vinnitsa, the Franciscan youth remembered and celebrated Brother Igor Mularski’s two decades of religious life.

The day ended with a solemn remembrance of Cardinal Marian Jaworski, a friend of the Capuchins, whose spirit resonated with the message, “The Lord sent me to bring good news to the poor, to the prisoners to preach freedom.”

 

September 9, 2023, Saturday – The 562nd War Night

This evening carried a hint of calm, but alarms in the border regions echoed like distant drums of an approaching storm. “You who were once strangers to God and His enemies by your way of thinking and your evil deeds, now God has reconciled you again,” a scripture whispered, seeking to heal the hearts of many.

In Krzywy Róg, a rocket’s cruel embrace claimed the life of one and injured many. Vinnitsa city, however, celebrated its day, the pulse of life continuing amidst the cacophony of conflict.

 

September 10, 2023, Sunday – The 563rd War Night

Kiev experienced the wrath of night drone attacks, its echoes disrupting the quiet. Yet, with dawn, a scripture reverberated, urging love above all, “For he who loves another has fulfilled the Law. Love does no evil to one’s neighbor.”

As a symbolic gesture, Vinnitsa’s youngest ones placed plasters on a map of Ukraine during their catechetical lesson. Each patch embodied a prayer, a hope, a testament that every little act matters.

In Rome, there was a moment of connection as Br. Piotr Stasinski, the General Councilor, reached out, reminding Ukraine of its universal fraternity.

 

September 11, 2023, Monday – The 564th War Night

The border district and Dnipropetrovsk region echoed with the chilling hymns of conflict. As missiles soared and anti-aircraft systems retaliated, the faithful held onto a powerful scripture, “Only in God seek peace, my soul, for from Him comes my hope. Only He is my rock and salvation.”

The echoes of war, however, didn’t diminish the celebration of the Ulma family from Markowa, beatified for their unmatched sacrifice during WWII.

 

The world watched, prayed, and hoped, remembering always, “God is Love! We live in war, but we do not live by war.”

Edited by br. Igor De Bliquy
for the Capuchin Communication Office
Province of St. Joseph

A Chronicle of Daily Struggles and Unyielding Hope in Ukraine, August 28-Sept. 3, 2023

Stories of Resilience and Faith: Ukrainians Endure the War

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian people exemplify remarkable resilience and unwavering faith. From the relentless nights of war to the unwavering dedication of the Capuchin brothers providing essential ministry and support, these stories shed light on the transformative power of faith and the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. As we explore their journeys, we witness their determination to rise above adversity, their unwavering hope for a just peace, and the profound influence of their faith in guiding them through the darkest times.

Night 550: Hot days and hot alarms.

There have been alarms in Vinnitsa, Kiev and eastern Ukraine, despite things having been calmer than in previous nights. Temperatures reaching 34 and 35 degrees Celsius (93 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) on consecutive days are also leaving their mark.

The Word reminds us of that on the way to knowing the true God (that is, true love ), it is important to listen and see. Hence the words from today’s liturgy:

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow Me.” God is love!

In Kiev, reconstruction has begun on a hotel that was damaged by a Russian rocket. In Krasilow, Capuchin nuns are happy to return home after vacations. And in Kamiansky, meanwhile, a meeting was held this week for children and youth. There were nearly 50 participants from Pavlograd, Dnipra, Crooked Horn and Kamianskom.

Night 551: The alarms and attacks continue.

Alarms are continuing, and there is danger of rocket attacks — primarily in the border regions. God, grant us a just peace!

God is close to us, as Psalm 139 says:

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.

In Kyiv, the House of Fr. Pio provides therapy, especially for mothers and wives who have lost their loved ones at the front.

Night 552: Ukraine goes red.

The nights are restless with the sound of alarms and air raids. At 5 o’clock in the morning, the whole of Ukraine went “red,” with alarms even in Uzhgorod. Explosions could be heard in Kiev. Our anti-missile system is working, however. God, give us a just peace!

St. Paul says: “After all, you know that each of you — like a father to his children — we have asked, encouraged you to act in a manner worthy of God, who calls you to his kingdom and glory. That is why we constantly thank God, because when you took over the word of God, heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as what it really is — as the word of God, who works in you, the believers.”

Whoever keeps the teachings of Christ, in this truly God’s love is perfected. God is love!

In Crooked Horn and Poltava Oblast, Russian missiles have reached civilian homes, farms and more.

In Kiev, residents are asking the ministers of culture of European Union countries to help them recover St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere around the region of Kiev, a rocket or its shrapnel has hit residential houses and fell on a local cemetery. Fortunately, there were no casualties, though houses were destroyed.

Night 554: Seeking God’s will in the midst of war.

Another night of restlessness: alarms in Kiev; explosions heard in Vinnitsa — which we hope were our anti-missile systems. Likewise in Khmelnitsky, Zhytomyr. In the west, no change. God, grant us a just peace!

We often ask, “What is God’s will?” The Word gives us the answer: “For the will of God is your sanctification: to abstain from debauchery, so that each one may know how to keep his own body holy and in honor, and not in lustful passion, as the pagans who do not know God do. Let no one in this matter transgress and deceive his brother, for as we told you before, assuring you solemnly: the Lord is the avenger of all this. For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. So whoever rejects these words rejects not man, but God, who after all gives you His Holy Spirit.”

Today — Sept. 1, 2023 — marked a historic occasion: Eastern churches in Ukraine switched to the Gregorian calendar. Our church in Uzhgorod is transitioning fully, with fixed holidays like Christmas and movable ones like Pascha. Deo gratias!

In Kamianske, Zytomyr and Zaryczany, representatives of several active humanitarian programs took part in a three-day meeting with themes of mercy and hope in action. The eucharist was led by different bishops each day.

Night 556: The living sacrifices we offer up in war.

Another night of restlessness, with nighttime kamikaze drone attacks on our cities and villages. God, give us a just peace!

If you want to be a true Christian, hear this Word: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.’”

To deny oneself means to negate one’s thinking, one’s emotions, one’s old nature and to open oneself to the new Word, the new nature and the new mentality. Hence the request: “I beseech you, brothers, by the mercy of God, to give your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, as an expression of your reasonable service to God. Therefore, do not take the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may be able to discern what is the will of God: what is good, what is pleasing to God, and what is perfect.”

In Kramatorsk, Russian rockets hit the city, though people were thankfully not hurt. The same happened in other cities of the Donetsk region.

In Kyiv, meanwhile, the Capuchins held a charity concert in the church square. Among the performing artists was our Br. Sergey Kippa.

Edited by br. McLean Bennett
for the Capuchin Communication Office
Province of St. Joseph