View of Berdychiv, Ukraine

Ukraine: In God's hands | The Discalced Carmelites in Ukraine look to St Edith Stein for discernment because she was willing “to live and die in the hands of the Lord, as God wills and when God wills.” Here's an update from Kyiv.

As we have shared in other posts on this blog, the Discalced Carmelite friars have ministered to the faithful in Ukraine since the 17th century. Although they were forced to leave during the Soviet era, friars from Poland returned in 1991 to restore their historic monastery and serve the Church in Ukraine. Now, they plan to stay despite the new threat from Russia.“We are in the hands of the…

The Discalced Carmelites have been present in Ukraine since 1630, ministering to the faithful. In the current crisis, Fr General Miguel Márquez interviewed Provincial Delegate Fr Józef Kucharczyk; here's our translation of their conversation.

The Discalced Carmelite friars and nuns are not immune to the current crisis in Ukraine. Father Józef Kucharczyk, O.C.D., a native of Poland, is responsible for the outreach of the friars from Krakow to their Ukrainian brothers and sisters, as well as to the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Ukraine. Stationed in Kyiv, he currently stays with the remaining nuns in the city to coordinate the activities…

Quote of the day, 4 March: Discalced Carmelite Józef Kucharczyk says prayer is urgent in Ukraine right now. "A young girl called me, begging: "Father, at three o'clock, we are all joining in prayer to ask for mercy in Ukraine...'" Learn more!

Our presence here in Ukraine is important so that the people can feel this kind of security—spiritual security—because we priests and sisters are with them here. Today, for example, a young girl called me, begging: “Father, at three o’clock, we are all joining in prayer to ask for mercy for Ukraine.” Every day and every night, we have these initiatives either from the people or from the friars…