United with Pope Francis and with men and women of good will throughout the world, we, members of the Vincentian Family, lift up our minds and hearts in prayer for peace in Ukraine.

May the good Lord listen to our prayer and may justice and peace prevail in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. We pray with confidence because we know that the power of the Resurrection is always present in our midst.

No more war … war is an adventure with no return; no more war … war is a spiral of suffering and violence: those heartfelt words and prayers of Saint John Paul II come to mind as we see what is occurring in Ukraine, a human tragedy before which we cannot remain indifferent.

The Vincentian Family is present in Ukraine: twenty-two Missionaries (members of the Congregation of the Mission) minister in six cities including Kiev, the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of the Miraculous Medal and lay groups that are very active in serving the poor and marginalized. These men and women represent a very youthful and significant presence. In addition to Kiev, they are ministering in Buldinka (near Odessa) and in Visirka. The “community in dialogue”, founded by Father Matteo Tagliaferri, CM, accompanies individuals with pathological addictions.

The Vincentian Family in Italy, in order to support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, has organized the shipment of food, medicine and sleeping bags. This material will be sent on Friday, March 11^th from Rome, Via Pompeo Magno 21. Here in Italy, we also collected rice, pasta, preserves, pain relievers, bandages, and gauze.

Furthermore, a bank account has been opened in the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL):

• Account #: IT43 U010 0503 3390 0000 0002 660
• Name: Provincia Missionari Vincenziani Italia
• Purpose: Ukraine emergency 2022

As member of the Vincentian Family, we entrust all whose who are suffering to the care and the intercession of Blessed Marta Wiecka, Daughter of Charity, Ukraine:

Our Lord and God, you called
Sister Marta Wiecka
to the Company of the Daughters of Charity
to follow your Son
and serve Him in the person of the poor and the sick.
Docile to your call, she followed the path of a Vincentian vocation,
dedicating herself entirely to their service
to the point of giving her life for her neighbor.
We thank you for all that you have done in the life of your servant.
Lord, through her intercession we ask
that you show us the power of your love
and grant us the grace
OF AN END TO THE WAR AND THAT PEACE PREVAIL IN UKRAINE
We ask you this with humility and trust,
if it is according to your will.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Elena Grazini