Praying for Ukraine

As members of the Loretto Community, we stand at the foot of the cross with the suffering people of Ukraine. In our individual, unique way may we be united in offering our collective prayers, sacrifices and sufferings for their healing and for peace. Let us pray with Pope Francis, “That all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”

For your reflection this week, you are invited to use the Prayer of St. Francis, as well as the following reflection by Thomas Reese SJ, found in this article from Religion News Service, posted on April 11 by National Catholic Reporter:

Holy Week is a time when the Christian community shares Christ’s pain on the cross, his betrayal and abandonment. Christ is being crucified again in Ukraine.The Scriptures do not give us words to explain away pain and death; rather, they give us the Son of God who is willing to descend into the trenches and suffer and die with us. Rather than encouraging us from the sidelines, he gets in the game and takes punches along with us.

The culmination of these days ahead is not the cross; it is the Resurrection. Beyond the pain there is hope. Hope in Christ; hope in the Spirit that can change hearts and inspire works of peace, justice and love. 

St. Francis’s Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument
of Your peace;
Where there is hatred,
let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

Click here for a photo of Byzantine Orthodox Icon (1132) known as “Our Lady of Kyiv.”

Past prayer resources include:

• A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine by Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford
• Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace

• This prayer from Canadian Bishop Mark Hagemoen, as he calls all to join Ukrainian Catholic leaders in a novena prayer for peace.
• A Prayer for Ukraine from Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
• “I No Longer Pray for Peace” by Ann Weems.