Night 452-458 – Br. Błażej letters
Capuchin Communications
Come Holy Spirit
May 22, 2023 – Monday. 452 war night.
War, alarms, explosions, fires, fear, and anguish consume us. Lives are lost, both soldiers and civilians. This is our reality, though not every region of Ukraine experiences it. Our country maintains relative peace compared to others. May God grant us peace!
The Word asks us a specific question: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to faith?” They replied, “We haven’t even heard of the Holy Spirit. What kind of baptism did you receive then?” – they asked. In response to this Word, there is only one answer: COME, HOLY SPIRIT!
The fruits of this COMING are evident below. “I have told you these things so that you may have peace in Me. In the world, you will face tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” Peace eludes us; instead, we endure war. COME, HOLY SPIRIT!
WE LIVE IN WAR, WE DO NOT LIVE FOR WAR.
Belarus. Minsk. The consecration of the Capuchin church. The miracle of divine love. DEO GRATIAS https://www.youtube.com/live/QgDlKJ80kB8?feature
Br. Maciej Styburski concludes another session of the “School of Mary” in Krasiliv. Br. Leonid Kushniruk celebrates the First Communion in Slobidka, an important event for the children. Br. Vladislav Gmyrko informs that Bishop Pavel Goncharuk administered Confirmation to 14 parishioners in Kamensky.
May 23, 2023 – Tuesday. FEAST OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINT FATHER FRANCIS OF ASSISI. 453 war night.
Last night, Dnipro faced the aftermath of an explosion. Let us pray for our enemies and occupiers.
Once again, rockets from our occupiers targeted Dnipro, as in previous nights. Vinnitsa, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv regions also experienced night alarms and explosions. Fortunately, all rockets were intercepted by defense systems. May God grant us peace!
Following the Holy Spirit also entails the ability to accept suffering, even when it goes against our nature. “Now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me there, except that the Holy Spirit confirms to me in every city that imprisonment and trials await me. But I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” COME, HOLY SPIRIT!
To truly know God, the Father, and experience His love, we need the Holy Spirit’s presence. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” COME, HOLY SPIRIT!
May 24, 2023, Wednesday. 454 war night.
Kherson region, suffered the most during another night of war. Two residents were killed, and three were wounded. Intense battles continue on various fronts.
Jesus prays for us.
“Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, so have I sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” COME, HOLY SPIRIT! God is love!
Heroes of Ukraine. A young family embracing life. God has blessed them with eight children. One of the boys received his First Holy Communion this year.
Yesterday, a sniper’s bullet killed our former postulant, Anatoly Kowal near Avdiyivka. Eternal rest grant him, O Lord.
Vinnitsa. Nineteen individuals from our parish received the sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Leon Dubravsky presided over the service.
Brother Alexander Mogilny guided the young people in preparation to receive the Holy Spirit. Thank God for everything and everyone.
Br. Jerzy Zielinski, Dnipro.
Today, at the invitation of the director of the Charitable Foundation “Free Belarus,” I participated in a memorial exhibition dedicated to the Belarusian heroes who sacrificed their lives in Ukraine for the European choice, European values, and democratic principles in the fight against the Russian Empire since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The gathering took place at the Historical Museum in the city of Dnipro. Together with Fr. Marian, the Orthodox pastor from the Ukrainian Patriarchate in Krasnopilja near Dnipro, I offered prayers for the fallen soldiers and those continuing the struggle for the freedom of Ukraine and Belarus.
Br. Zbigniew Sawczuk, Lviv.
Boris Johnson nearly donated a MITSUBISHI SHOGUN SPORT car to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ЗСУ). Everything is fine… Japanese precision and English friendship. But there is one “but” – the steering wheel is on the right instead of the left, and the turn signals operate from the right, while normally, they are on the left. You look in the mirror normally to the right, but here you need to look to the left.
May 25, 2023, Thursday. The 455th night of war.
Yesterday’s evening was more peaceful, but the daylight hours rang with the sounds of warnings and air raid sirens. The PPO – Missile defense systems, were hard at work. Overnight, missiles were launched across Ukraine, totaling 36 in number. Each one of them was successfully intercepted and destroyed. Explosions could even be heard as far off as Uzhhorod. We are grateful for our survival. Our thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Paul receives guidance from the Holy Spirit and a directive: “Courage”. As recounted in the scriptures, “The Lord appeared to him the next night. ‘Courage!’ – He said – ‘As you bore witness for Me in Jerusalem, you must also do the same in Rome.’”
Kharkiv Oblast. Yesterday, a school and a cultural center were set ablaze due to rocket fire.
Vinnytsia. As reported by the Vinnytsia Telegram channel, “Nearly 40 Roman Catholic pilgrims from Vinnytsia have begun their journey on foot to Sharogrudok. Their prayers are for victory and peace in Ukraine.”
Kyiv. Under the motto “No War!”, the Capuchin friars are progressing with their project, developing a parking lot in front of the church and monastery. Let’s keep our Benefactors in our prayers.
Br. Kazimierz Guzik, Lviv – Zbyszek has delivered another vehicle for the military forces, generously donated by volunteers from Poland.
May 26, 2023 – Friday. Celebrating St. Philip Neri. The 456th night of war.
Another night echoed with warnings and drone activities. Around 3 a.m., all of Ukraine was on “red” alert. Kyiv and Dnipro came under attack. (Photo) Damage and fires broke out due to the debris from downed rockets and drones.
“The Holy Spirit will instruct you in everything; He will bring to your memory all that I have spoken to you.” WE CALL UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT!
We exist amidst war, but we are not defined by war.
Yesterday marked the birthday of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, our patron saint in Ukraine, our guardian. Our operations in Vinnytsia, in Kyiv, and in Dnipro stand as simple and tangible miracles of God’s love, with the intercession of our holy brother, Fr. Pio. St. Fr. Pio, we pray for your blessings and for peace in our Ukraine.
Brother Joseph Chromy, our Superior, has planned and prepared a nature expedition for us, the Brothers. We extend our gratitude to God, our Brothers, and our Benefactors.
Karasiliw. Sister Margaret, a Capuchin, posts today on Facebook:
“456 glasses of water, another day of war marked with sorrow and grief. Amidst the turmoil, there is some good news as 23 drones that threatened Khmelnytskyi were shot down. Life in the town continues seemingly calm. The much-prayed-for rain brought some relief to the parched land. Yet, the grief was profound as another soldier returned home for the final farewell with his family. The anguish of parents losing a child is indescribable; a photograph speaks volumes more than words ever can. I know he is still with us, but there comes a moment in our lives when we begin to live differently. However, this is not the time for such reflections. What is needed now is time to mourn the precious life that has been lost.”
May 27, 2023 – Saturday. The 457th night of war illuminates the sky.
The night mirrored the previous one, teeming with drones, with Kyiv being the prime target. We endured the nighttime alarms. We give thanks for surviving another day.
Dnipro. Yesterday, this city where our brothers live, was targeted with as many as seven S- 300, S- 400, and Iskander missiles. Powerful, large-caliber rockets wreaked havoc, destroying residential buildings and a hospital. Thirty-two individuals were injured, including two young children, boys aged 3 and 6. Of these, 15 required hospitalization, and three people remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations have concluded. Two lives were lost due to the Russian terrorist rocket attacks.
“Russian terrorists have once again proven their war against all that is human and just. A rocket assault on a clinic in the city of Dnipro resulted in one casualty and 15 injured. Efforts to handle the aftermath of the shelling and rescue the victims are underway, with all necessary services engaged. We must decisively and swiftly overcome these inhuman forces. Time is of the essence for our people, and our people are the most precious asset of Ukraine.”
Br. Jerzy Zielinski, Dnipro:
“Images documenting the devastation from the explosions have begun to circulate online. These pictures represent just a fragment of the human lives and infrastructure lost overnight and on Mother’s Day, May 26, in Dnipro. The rocket’s whistling flight woke me up, and the powerful blasts at 3:30 a.m. exacerbated my stress and worry. During the alert, I spent an hour and a half sheltering in the basement. It was difficult to find sleep afterward. With the night cut short, I had to continue parish duties.
The Ukrainian SERVICE warns that this is only the beginning of Putin and his terrorists’ rampage. Such treacherous nocturnal attacks, catching people in their sleep, will likely increase. POOR PEOPLE, ENDURING SO MUCH PAIN!!!
I believe in Poland and other countries, you rarely see these horrific scenes on display. I am aware that Poles are weary, and many have grown numb to the reality of genocide and a systematic, cruel dismantling of the state at their eastern border. The plight of these people has sadly become normalized for many. To truly empathize with Ukrainians, one must imagine being in our shoes. THE WAR RAGES ON! WE ARE DESPAIRING!!!
I share this to awaken hearts and to ask for continued prayers and support for those in Ukraine.”
May 28, 2023 – Sunday. Solemnity of Pentecost. The 458th war-torn night.
The night was filled with alarms and kamikaze drones swarming into Ukraine from all sides. Airstrikes persisted from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Almost all of Ukraine was on alert, with Kiev being the prime target. Fire control systems were operational. Of 54 kamikaze drones, termed Shahids, launched by Russian terrorists, 52 were shot down. Regrettably, there were casualties.
COME HOLY SPIRIT!
WE LIVE IN WAR, WE DO NOT LIVE BY WAR.
Br. Sergey Voronyuk, Lviv/Krasilow:
The Franciscan Youth’s spring chapter commenced at Padre Pio’s retreat house in Krasilow. Approximately 55 individuals from Kyiv, Vinnitsa, Starokonstantinov, and Krasilov convened here. May the Holy Spirit guide us on His paths!
From Br. Błażej letters nights 452-458
Edited by br. Igor De Bliquy
for the Capuchin Communication Office
Province of St. Joseph
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