Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 241

October 23, 2022

Yesterday I reached Starokostiantyniv late in the afternoon. On the way, I celebrated the Eucharist in the community of the Franciscan Secular Order in Staryi Ostropil.
Yesterday morning’s air raids destroyed electrical grid—probably in the entire province. There’s no electricity, water or gas in Khmelnytskyi. Stores are closed. We are waiting…
Thank God, power was turned on yesterday around 10 p.m. in Starokostiantyniv. Although late, it gave life back to the friars. That and wifi. 🙂

A new day, the Lord’s Day.
I picked up two provincial ministers, Marek and Rafał, from Khmelnytskyi, 46 km (28.5 miles) from Starokostiantyniv. They will preside at our custodial chapter.  Nowadays, great men of this world come to us by train. So did arrive our leadership too. Thank God for our ministers. We are already in Starokostiantyniv. Tomorrow our brothers will arrive for the chapter. I ask you all, reading this letter, to pray briefly for the intentions of our chapter.

The Word… Listening to Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word, in our context of war in particular, I am touched by Psalm 34: “The Lord hears those crying for help and saves them from all anguish.” “The Lord turns his face against evil doers, to wipe out the memory of them from the earth. The Lord hears those crying for help and rescues them from all anguish.”

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

God is near. God has not left Ukraine. He listens to the prayer of the humble. God is love!!!

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

Kyiv and Starokostiantyniv continue to help the poor, the displaced and refugees. We buy some groceries in Ukrainian stores from financial aids received from our Brothers and Benefactors.

Lviv:
The funeral of another soldier who defended our land against the Russian occupiers. Brother Zbyszek Sawczuk was at the funeral. (photo) Invitation to prayer of worship.(photo) Night vigil in Lviv. (photo) Meeting of catechists. (photo) Reconstruction in Lviv: Monastic chapel and entrance to monastery. (photo)

Starokostiantyniv:
There is light in Starkon! And internet!!! … and water…. And brothers in the living room. (photo)
A retreat for young people was held. “Let’s lean on the Word of God, get to know our gifts and values.” Next meeting will be held in November. (photo)

May God guard us and grant us light in the darkness.