peace

“How far did my faith life penetrate even beyond superficial thoughts, to my genuine inward musings? Did it actually affect the way I lived my life? Did it ever become the ground on which I stood or fell?”

One of the greatest strengths of Ukrainians right now is their unity. These days, it is a strength we Americans lack.

The Rosary for Peace was first published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops following the attacks on 9/11. Pope Francis has called on all Catholics to pray for peace for Ukraine.

Pope Francis said the Vatican “is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace” in Ukraine.

On his Twitter account, Feb. 27, the pope reiterated his invitation for everyone to take part in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in Ukraine on Ash Wednesday, March 2, “in order to be near to the suffering Ukrainian people, to be aware that we are all brothers and sisters, and to implore God for an end to the war.”

The 60 bishops from Europe and cities on the Mediterranean were meeting with a group of mayors from the same area to share strategies for welcoming migrants, promoting peace, defending human rights and encouraging development.

As Russian troops approached Ukraine’s capital, Pope Francis phoned the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, offering his encouragement and promising, “I will do everything I can” to help. Earlier in the day, breaking usual diplomatic practice, Pope Francis had left the Vatican and gone to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See to express his concern for the war.

As war broke out in Europe Feb. 24, with Russia’s early morning attacks on various parts of Ukraine, Catholics in the U.S. joined Pope Francis in prayers for the people of the East European nation and for peace.