Login

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 409

April 9, 2023

The Lord Jesus is risen! He is truly risen !
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС!

The Word… Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter proceeded to speak and said:

You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third  day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Reading from the Letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians:

Brothers and sisters: If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

The words of the Gospel according to St. John:

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; He bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Best wishes.

The Lord Jesus is risen! He is truly risen!
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 408

April 8, 2023

Night and morning calm only in central and western Ukraine. Alarms in central Ukraine, in Vinnytsia and Kyiv.

The Word… An ancient homily for Holy and Holy Saturday:

“What happened? A great silence shrouded the earth; a great silence and emptiness upon it. Great silence because the King fell asleep. The earth became overcast and silent, because God fell asleep in human flesh, and raised up those who had been asleep for centuries. God died in the flesh, and moved the Abyss. … For you I, your God, became your son. For you I, the Lord, took the form of a servant. For you I, who am above the heavens, came to earth and descended into its depths. For you, man, I became as a man powerless, but free among the dead. For you, who forsook the garden of Eden, I was delivered to the Jews in the garden of Olives and crucified in the garden.”

For you… God is love !

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Vinnytsia/Lviv:
May the Venerable Servant of God Fr. Seraphim Kashuba, the one from Lviv and Vinnytsia, ask God for a just peace for Ukraine and our hearts. (photo)

Avdiivka (Donetsk Region):
This is a manifestation of human sin and Russian terrorism. (photo)

Hostomel Airport:
At the beginning of the war the terrorists destroyed a Ukrainian joy, the world’s largest Antonov transport plane “Мрія” (Dream). The factory announced the construction of a new similar aircraft. (photo)

Vinnytsia:
Traditionally a Lenten meal of the Capuchin community. We read the Passion of Christ on our knees, eating bread with salt. (photo)
Adoration of the Holy Cross and the Lord’s Tomb. (photo)

Dnipro:
Br. Vadym Shtogrin celebrates his name day tomorrow. Brother, we wish you Pascha, transition from death to life. The experience of the empty tomb. Best wishes.

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Adoration of the Lord Jesus abandoned in prison.

Kamianske (Br. Volodya Procko):
Adoration of the cross. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
Holy Thursday. Washing of feet. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
Stations of the Cross in Lviv at the Capuchins’. (photo)
Good Friday service. (photo)

Jesus died and was laid in the tomb. With hope we wait…

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 407

April 6, 2023

Warlike calm. Alarms in the East. Massive fights in the area of Bakhmut and Avdiivka. People are being killed.
God, grant for a just peace!

The Word… The prophet Isaiah writes: “But He burdened Himself with our suffering, He bore our sorrows, and we regarded Him as a convict, flogged by God and trampled on. But He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquities. The flogging that saved us fell on Him, and in His wounds is our healing.”
In His wounds is our healing.
“And though He was the Son, He learned obedience by what He suffered. And when He had accomplished everything, He became the author of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.”
Salvation through obedience !
This is the Word of today’s liturgy that can change our lives.

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Starokostiantyniv:
Caritas.
https://unas.news/news/4251-naybilsha-nahoroda-vdyachnist-lyudey-i-usvidomlennya-toho-shcho-nasha-dopomoha-potribna.html

Vinnytsia:
Liturgy of Holy Thursday. (photo)

Lviv:
Young priests from four different orders, among them Br. Sergey Voronyuk, Capuchin, express their gratitude for the gift of priesthood. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
On the occasion of the establishment of the priesthood, I wish that God grant you, brothers, the grace of unity with the Sacrifice of Christ. May the Spirit of God guide you through the Triduum! Buona Pasqua!!!

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):

Lviv (Br. Kazimierz Guzik):
During the liturgy, acceptance into the ranks of altar servers. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
Washing of feet at the liturgy in Krasyliv. (photo)

Kyiv (Br. Viktor Deschuk):
Thursday wishes. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv (Br. Sergey Gubitsky):
Today’s (Thursday) wishes for brother priests. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Vladislav Gmyrko):
Jesus imprisoned—Designed and made by Br. Volodya Procko together with the community of renewal in the Holy Spirit. (photo)

Jesus lives. Thrown into prison.

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 405

April 5, 2023

Alarms that I have not heard for a month now, yesterday at 12:41 p.m. in Vinnytsia. And so all over Ukraine. All Ukraine is red.

The Word… Holy Week, a powerful Word and request. “Every morning He stimulates my ear to listen like the disciples. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I have neither resisted nor retreated.”
Open my ear so that I listen to God, not to myself, and through obedience to the Word, I will not betray Jesus or run away from the cross.
“The Lord God supports me, that’s why I am insensitive to insults, that’s why I have made my face like a boulder, and I know that I will not be ashamed. Near is He who will acquit me.”
God is love!

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Dnipro:
Franciscan youth, together with the Capuchin friars held a fair. They donated the proceeds to help the ZSU (Armed Forces of Ukraine). (photo)

America is opening up. They even write about us in English.
https://digital.catholicfreepress.org/Catholic-Free-Press-03242023-e-Edition/1/
https://www.catholicfreepress.org/news/serving-the-people-in-ukraine

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Stand in support of the ZSU, in Dnipro on the Day of Passion Sunday. Franciscan Youth Initiative. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Sergey Voronyuk):
We visit our Defenders in Lviv’s St. Luke’s Hospital. Deo gratias, for everyone who pays the highest price for our freedom! (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 404

April 4, 2023

Another night and day of rocket fire. The Donetsk and Kherson regions have suffered the most. Innocent people are being killed. More torture and execution sites are being discovered. (photo)
On that night, Ukraine was attacked with 17 drone strikes. 14 of them were averted.
God, grant us peace.

The Word… The following Word from the Song of the Servant of Yahweh fully announces the message, the mission of Jesus. As Christians, we follow Jesus. These words also apply to our vocation, our Christian journey.

“And now the Lord spoke, who formed me from birth to be his Servant, that I should convert Jacob to him, and gather Israel to him. And He said: “It is too little that you are My Servant for the uplifting of the tribes of Jacob and the bringing in of the survivors of Israel! I will establish you as a light to the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:1-6

This mission is beyond me, I don’t know about you?
Let us pray Ps 71:

“Be to me a rock of refuge and a fortified castle to save me,
For You are my rock of refuge and fortress.
My God, deliver me from the hand of the wicked one.”

In Jesus is our power and strength.
“Welcome, our King, obedient to the will of the Father, as a meek lamb to be slain you were led to crucifixion.”

God is love!

We live in a war, we do not live by war!

News from the brothers:

Kamianske (Br. Vladislav Gmyrko):
Celebrating Palm Sunday in Kamianske. (photo)

Krasyliv (Br. Maciej Styburski):
Thanks to the initiative of the Capuchin Sisters, a fair was held for ZSU on Palm Sunday. Thanks to the sisters, parishioners, parish groups and missionaries of the School of Mary for preparing and carrying out this wonderful event! (photo)
On Saturday a retreat for the youth “Oazis” ended in Krasyliv. More than 100 people from different villages participated. Here are some photos. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 403

April 3, 2023

A wartime calm. In some areas alarms, explosions and as in Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, three people were killed. (photo)
God, grant us peace, and to the dead of this war, eternal rest. Amen.

The Word… As we read, as we listen to Psalm 27, let us look at Jesus, let us enter into intimacy with Him. Gazing at Jesus, he looks at our fears, our anxieties, the war in our head, in our emotions, and the war around us, in Ukraine.
“The Lord my light and my salvation, whom should I fear?
The Lord the defender of my life, from whom should I feel trepidation?
When I am surrounded by evildoers who want to devour me,
they themselves, my enemies and foes, falter and fall.
Even when enemies camp against me, my heart will not feel fear.
Even though I am attacked with arms, even then I will keep my confidence.
I believe that I will behold the good of the Lord in the land of the living.
Expect the Lord, be valiant, take courage and expect the Lord.”

God is love!!!
There is no fear in true love.
God is love

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Kamianets-Podilskyi:
Bishop Leon Dubravsky traditionally rides into the cathedral on a donkey, chasing the donkey with a palm. (photo)

Lviv:
“We have guests” (Br. Kazimierz Guzik) among the Lvovians, Br. Rafal Pysiak, provincial vicar, and Br. Sergey Kippa, custos. (photo)

Krasyliv:
Fair. Proceeds earmarked for the ZSU. (photo)

News from the brorthers:

Vinnytsia (Br. Igor Mularski):
Franciscan Youth. Palm branches and a fair to benefit ZSU. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Volodya Procko):
Greetings to all on the occasion of Palm Sunday!
And this is the community of Transfiguration—Renewal in the Holy Spirit. And me as their assistant. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 402

April 2, 2023

Wartime quiet. Regular war on the frontline. War in media space, information space, propaganda space. Religious war with the pro-Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
War in our heads and hearts.
God, give us peace!

The Word… Lent, 40 days, has ended. Holy Week is beginning. A time of great Words and events in salvation history. God, give us a time of great listening. Open my eyes and ears. “Convert us and we will be converted to you.”
“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the kingdom of our father David, which is coming. Hosanna in the highest!”
Our human nature: How close is the word “Hosanna” to the word “Crucify Him.” Similarly, the word “love” and “hate.”
“The Lord God supports me, that’s why I am insensitive to insults, that’s why I have made my face like a boulder, and I know that I will not be ashamed.”

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Avdiivka:
Russian terrorism makes its presence known. More damage to city’s residential infrastructure. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv:
Children who participated in workshops and made chocolate for their loved ones at the front received a thank-you note from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. (photo)

Lviv:
Night of vigil. (photo)

Kyiv:
First Saturday of the month. Meeting of the Knights of John Paul II and Rosary of men. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Franciscan Youth of Dinpro are preparing for a fair in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for Palm Sunday. (photo)

Krasyliv/Slobidka-Krasylivs’ka (Bro. Leonid Kushniruk):

To all a good and peace-filled day!
Today a summary of two days of work on the culinary front. Everything as always, baking bread, dumplings, stuffed cabbage… Today we sent everything that could be packed to Bakhmut.
Thank you all for your physical and financial help. We have no right to be discouraged, to “lower our hands”, because imagine how hard it is for our defenders, what if they were discouraged to defend us? And they, too, come upon moments of fatigue, discouragement, loss of faith in victory… The war is dragging on, everyone mentally and physically exhausted, and our help and support badly needed by the soldiers!
Therefore, with all our strength, we continue to do what we started, unite and stick together!
From Monday in school holidays, but the kitchen is working. So we are waiting for your hands! Together to victory! Ms. Natalija. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Volodymyr Procko):
Missing photos to yesterday’s post.

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 401

April 1, 2023

Unsettled. Alarms in various northern and eastern districts.

The Word… Let’s follow the Word. “… I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen peoples shall know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my tabernacle shall be among them forever.”
God is love.

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Starokostiantyniv:
We host our superiors of the Krakow province, Br. Mark Miszczynski, provincial minister, and Br. Raf Pysiak, vicar.

Lviv:
Invitation to “Prayer of adoration with Mary.” (photo)

Bucha:
Yesterday was the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation.

Bucha. 33 days of occupation. More than 1,400 killed, including 37 children. More than 175 people found in mass graves and torture targets. 9,000 Russian military villains.
365 days this city is free again. This city has become a symbol of the degeneracy of the army of the land of occupation.
“We will never forgive. We will punish all the guilty”, wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and published a video in honor of the anniversary of the deoccupation—City of Heroes. (by Ukrainian News)

Krasyliv:
Invitation from Capuchin Sisters to a fair.

Preparations for the fair took a long time. Many of our parishioners donated their time and talents. We have various decorations, handmade chocolates, cakes, napkins, socks… and many, many other things.
We will donate the proceeds to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday. (S. Margaret, photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv/Starokostiantyniv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
We thank the Province of Assisi for their initiatives for Ukraine.

Lviv (Br. Sergey Voronyuk):
Franciscan youth from Lviv and beyond. (photo)

Uzhgorod (Br. Marek Lisowski):
We bought and distributed 20 pots for forcibly displaced people living in a boarding school. Grateful to God for the Benefactors. (photo)

Kamianske (Br. Volodia Procko):

On Thursday, March 30, we set off on a familiar route: via Pavlohrad and Pokrovsk to Kramatorsk. The journey began at 4:30 in the morning and lasted 18 hours. In Kramatorsk we handed over the necessary items for the soldiers, and then left for Liman. From there it was possible to get to Tors’ke via Zarichne. Explosions could be heard there all day—artillery guns. We met a lot of people in the village, talked to them, distributed humanitarian aid and prayed together. The residents were very grateful that we came to them. This was our first visit to Tors’ke. Despite the bad weather, rain and snow, the mission was successful. Thank God for everything.

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 400

March 31, 2023

Daylight alarms. All of Ukraine red. What’s next? How much longer?
Alarms in Kyiv and the oblast [region]. Kamikaze drones in the sky.
400 night already. Explosions are heard in Zaporizhzya. Alarms in Dnipro.
God, give us a just peace!
Let’s pray for Pope Francis. Healing of the sick…

The Word… God gives us the Word for the moment of suffering, doubt, temptation.
“Your words, Lord, are spirit and life. You have the words of eternal life.”
Let us cling to this Word. You have the words of life… I want to live, in war, I want to live… You have the Words of life.
God is love.

We live in a war, we don’t live by war!

Croatia (Brother Jure Sarcevic):

Dear Blazej. And today I received your report on the war and aggression against Ukraine. Thanks for the 399 reports since the beginning of the war. This is a special insight into the war and aggression, a faith-based insight. We follow other reports, but yours is unique. Every day we think and pray for peace in Ukraine, for a just peace. This human peace is often false, a peace for self-interest… Easter is approaching, the Risen Christ is the only true peace. Therefore, this year we especially pray that Christ, the Lord of life and death, the Alpha and Omega, will bring ultimate peace to the suffering nations of Ukraine.
Happy return from America and greetings to your brothers in Poland and Ukraine!
Jure.

Deo gratias! Jure, thank you sincerely for your heart. Greetings to the brothers of Croatia and the Franciscans of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy:
Lombardy stands with Ukraine. (photo from Mrs. Olesia)

Eucharist:
God be thanked for everything and everyone. Let us pray for our Brothers and Benefactors. (photo)

America:
They write about us. (photo)

Kharkiv (Ms. Tania):

At our place again shelling. You can hear an explosion, already 4, already 7, already 10 explosions.

Sister Death:
Our Brother, professor, Br. Roland Prejs passed away. God, grant him life…

News from the brothers:

Krasyliv (Bro. Leonid Kushniruk):

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 399

March 30, 2023

Warlike calm. Alarms in some border regions. Waiting to see what the Russian terrorist will come up with to destroy Ukraine.
God, give us a just peace.

The Word… Jesus himself asks us: “Do not harden your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord.”
Listen to the Word…

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Gratitude. Today is Thursday. Grateful to God and people, we return to Poland and on to Ukraine. Let us pray for our Benefactors. Deo gratias!!!!

Starokostiantyniv:
Br. Sergey Gubitsky, guardian of our monastery invites those willing to participate in the Seminar of Renewal in the Holy Spirit. (photo)

Lviv:
To worship God by bowing to God with your face to the ground, to kneel before God means not to kneel before the enemy. (photo)

Ukraine in Germany. (photo)

Avdiyivka:
Another rocket attack. Thank God this time without civilian casualties. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawczuk):
Volunteers of the Christian Relief Service, Valery and his daughter Katya, brought aid from Poland for our soldiers. Reloading, sleep, breakfast and then on their way. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 398

March 29, 2023

Restlessness. Drone fire.
God, give us peace.
Capuchin brothers meet in Kyiv. Stop the war! No war! (report below)

The Word… “If you abide in my teaching, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Truth?—God is love!

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Ukraine in America. Florida. Photos of another photographer. (photo)

Khmelnitskyi (S. Klara):

Here is a village near Khmelnytskyi. The parish of St. Anthony. People have been praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet since the beginning of the war. From this small village 70 men in the war at the very front… Their mothers, wives, sisters gather every day to pray. Imagine none have disappeared so far! Two have recently disappeared, and the rest are there and alive, fighting. They say that only prayer keeps them going. There in the video you can see a list of these military men near the candle.

Kyiv:
Sister death. A Polish volunteer who helped in Konstantinivka, eastern Ukraine and beyond, has died of his wounds. May he rest in Eternal Peace. (photo)
Long live Poland and her Heroes.
Article in Ukrainian:
https://vechirniy.kyiv.ua/news/80617/

A wartime joke. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Capuchins in Sofia (Bulgaria) did a collection some time ago for Ukraine. It has arrived. We sincerely thank the brothers and the donors!

Kyiv, Ukraine/Stalowa Wola, Poland (Br. Adam Wróbel):

On behalf of myself, my dad and sisters Agnes and Marta, I thank the brothers for praying for my mom. For the support. Thank you, Marek and Andrzej, brothers, for your presence. I know that many wanted to come, and the obstacle was the Ukrainian law related to the war. Thank you.

Kamyanske/Kyiv (Br. Volodymyr Procko):
Here is how good and how nice, when brothers and sisters pray together! Celebrating the name days of Viktor and Kostyantyn in Kyiv. (photo)

Assistants of the OFS:
On the initiative of the national assistant of the OFS, Br. Volodymyr, another (second this year!) meeting of the regional assistants of our Order, serving in the four regions of the OFS in Ukraine, was held today at our monastery in Kyiv. Present at the meeting were the regional assistants—Br. Leonid, Br. Patryk, Br. Victor and the assistants of the local communities—Br. Anton and Br. Slawomir.
During the meeting, which took place in a joyful atmosphere of fraternal dialogue, there was a discussion of the questions of assisting in the regional councils of the OFS, the program for celebrating the great jubilee of the 800th anniversary of Franciscanism, the program for the formation of postulancy, novitiate and postnovitiate for Secular Franciscans. (photo)

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
We were visited by the Knights of JPII. The founders of Kovcheg in Pionersk, around Mariupol: Volodya and Vasily. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 397

March 28, 2023

Russian terrorists shelled Sloviansk last night. There are civilian casualties. This time kamikaze drone attacks. Sviatoshyn District in Kyiv got hit. Fire.
Evening and night very restless. Alarm in some districts.
God, give us a just peace.

The Word… This is the nature of man, our nature: “… on the way, however, the people lost patience. And they began to speak against God and Moses: ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, that we should die here in the desert? There is no bread or water, and we have already become miserable with this meager food.’
So the Lord sent snakes with a burning venom upon the people, which bit the people, so that a great number of Israelites died. So the people came to Moses, saying: ‘We have sinned by murmuring against the Lord and against you. Intercede for us to the Lord, that he may remove the serpents from us.’ And Moses interceded for the people.”
“… If a snake bit someone, and the one bitten looked at the copper snake, he stayed alive.” This is the nature of God. Love is patient, very patient and God is love!

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Stalowa Wola, Poland:
In the hometown of Br. Adam Wróbel, Councillor of the Custody and Guardian of Kiev, a funeral of our mother Maria Wróbel took place. May she rest in eternal peace. (photo)

Br. Sergey Kippa, custos:

Brothers, let us remember in prayer for Adam’s mother.
From the Custody, the funeral will be attended by Br. Marek Lisowski.
For Adam, sympathy and prayer support +
R.I.P.

Ukraine in America. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Krasyliv/Slobidka Krasylivska (Bro. Leonid Kushniruk):

Today they cooked cabbage for stuffed cabbage rolls. A big thank you to the women who leave their business and rush to help. They don’t get tired of helping. Because they understand well that it is thanks to the soldiers that we can do our household chores: cleaning, raking in the garden, planting potatoes….
Just so you understand, the school makes the premises available, teachers can not work in the kitchen all the time, because they have a lesson every day during this time.
A big thank you to the Chelmenko family, sister Oleksandra, Bachurina J., Charevych M., Gorska L. for the products. (photo)
On Saturday, the OFS of the Khmelnytskyi region had its day of recollection at the Christ the King Parish in Khmelnytski.
The meeting began with Holy Mass, presided over and with a fiery solemn sermon by the regional assistant, Br. Leonid Kushniruk, OFMCap, under the diligent scrutiny of the assistant and countless local OFS communities of the region, Br. Anton Podgornyi, OFMCap.
This Day of Recollection was attended in large numbers by members of the Third Order who wish to develop their faith and be more faithful sons and daughters of St. Francis, in the number of about 50 people.
No less uplifting and delightful was the conference entitled “Spiritual Laziness” (although he spoke more about Christian joy than laziness—author’s note) by the regional assistant, Br. Leonid Kushniruk, OFMCap.
After the conference, there was an opportunity for sharing in small groups and a general summary during lunch together.
We thank God for this meeting, for each participant, for the assistant brothers through whom God spoke!
Thank you for our Franciscan Family!
Elder Chm. Reg. Galina P. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 396

March 27, 2023

The war and no one is judging, foretelling or speculating anymore when the war will end and there will be a just peace in Ukraine.

The Word… War is not just a front, trenches… War in the head can lead to misery. There was a war in the head of the old men, an innocent Susanna could have been killed. The cause of the war: “They lost their reason and turned away their eyes, neglecting to look to Heaven and forgetting righteous judgments.”
“Nothing troubles me, for You are with me.”
“Then Jesus, having risen, said to her: ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ And she replied: ‘None, Lord!’ Jesus said to her, ‘And I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more from now on.’”
There is hope for us sinners…
God is love.

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Avdiivka:
War. The poorest suffer. (photo)

Ukraine in America. San Domingo. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Dnipro (Br. Yaroslav Fedirchuk):
Yesterday, Saturday, there was a meeting with Bishop Markos Oganesian and Pastor Ter Amazasp of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Dnipro. There was an opportunity to venerate the relics of Saint Clement, pope and martyr. (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 395

March 26, 2023

War night and morning, in the calm of war. We wait for alarms, rockets…
God, give us peace.

The Word… “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves, my people, and I will lead you into the land of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you out of your graves, my people. I will give you my spirit to bring you to life, and I will lead you to your country, and you shall know that I, the Lord, have said this and will perform it,’ says the Lord God.”

We live in a war, we do not live by war

Kharkiv:
“Bullet pierced a helmet and stopped in the skull. How doctors treat at the front.” An article in Ukrainian:
https://savelife.in.ua/materials/photo-essays/kulya-probyla-sholom-i-zastryahla-v-cher/

Kharkiv (from Ms. Tania):

Thank God, it’s quiet in Kharkiv, spring. Today Fr. Alexander, a native of Melitopol, working in Zaporizhzhya, was coming to us. Quite young, but already all gray. Chaplain. Right in the center of the fighting in Bakhmut. Beard–like yours, only black. He smiles, jokes… I am happy for him and that they are like this—brave chaplains. Fr. Shasha Karapetiwn. (photo)
https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/video-velykden-zsu-pozytsiyi-peredova-viyna/31820431.html

Lviv:
Brother Zbyszek Sawczuk preaches a Lenten retreat at the Cathedral in Lviv. (photo)

Mariupol:
Spring. Flowers are growing. There is hope. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawczuk):
Alexander, Luda Babenko and Olena came from Krakow for the night of the vigil (they previously lived in Dnipro). (photo)

Jesus lives!

Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 394

March 25, 2023

Yesterday, drones and artillery attacked Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. (photo) Later, Odessa, Nikopol.
God, grant us a just peace.

The Word… Today’s Feast, is the day of the Word: “Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and bear a Son, whom you will name Jesus.”
“How will this happen, since I do not know my husband?”
The angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with a shadow.”
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”
The word comes from God. Mary asks “How will it be done?” “The Holy Spirit,”… the Angel answers.
Mary, “Let it be done to me according to Your Word.”
This is a model for each of us!
Do not be afraid, God loves you…
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and everything that is impossible for you will become possible. Amen!

We live in a war, we do not live by war.

Sympathy for Ukraine in America. (photo)

News from the brothers:

Kyiv (Br. Sergey Kippa):
Yesterday, we (Kyiv parish/convent) “moved” from Perov Boulevard to Resurrection Prospect.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2023/03/23/7394802/
Don’t get confused on Tuesday going to Kostya and Vitya’s name day.
What a nice name though!
It could have been called “Capuchin Avenue,” but they thought, ” they will not share with the Nazareth sisters.”

Lviv (Br. Zbigniew Sawchuk):
Summit meeting. Married couple Andrzej Czerny and his wife Olga expecting their 8th child. They are preaching retreats in Brukhovychi for the Neocatechumenal Way. I preach a parish retreat at the Lviv Cathedral.
Ora pro nobis. (photo)

Jesus lives!