Letters from Br. Błażej: Night 244

October 26, 2022

We are alive. Living our new wartime normal. It is calm in our area. Dnipro was shelled; there are civilian casualties.

The Word… We are at chapter where the important word is: obey, listen to each other…
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Whoever you are, God is calling you, encouraging you to listen. I am the custos (superior)—the first among the brothers of the Custody of Ukraine. The time has come for the word to be fulfilled… “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” The time has come—tonight (Wednesday) the next superior of the Custody of Ukraine will be elected. Holy Spirit, come…

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

Kyiv:
By noon drones were coming towards Kyiv. They were reportedly shot down. Thank God and the soldiers.

Starokostiantyniv:
Yesterday was calmer in our area, in this war reality. During Vespers lights went out—We finished praying in the light of smartphones. (photo)
Today’s Eucharist was presided by Br. Marek, the provincial. Br. Rafał, the provincial vicar, preached the homily and Br. Patryk concelebrated—the oldest vocation of our custody. (photo)
Chapter sessions take place in the chapel “upper” room above the friars’ choir. (photo)
Shared meals in the friar’s refectory (dining room where, traditionally, tables stand along the walls so we can have eye contact). (photo)