Odessa (Ukraine). On 19 November 2024, it was 1000 days since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine – which broke out on 22 February 2022 – remembered with articles and reflections on the fighting still going on, with celebrations and moments of prayer for peace.
Pope Francis, at the General Audience of 20 November, called it “a tragic occasion for the victims and for the destruction it caused, but at the same time, a shameful disaster for all humanity!” He added, “This, however, should not dissuade us from remaining close to the tortured Ukrainian people, nor from imploring peace and working so that weapons give way to dialogue and confrontation to encounter.”
He then read the letter sent to him by a university student from Ukraine, who writes:
“Father, when on Wednesday you will remember my country and have the opportunity to speak to the whole world in the thousandth day of this terrible war, please do not speak only of our sufferings, but be witness also of our faith. Even if imperfect, its value does not decrease; it paints with painful strokes the picture of the Risen Christ.
There have been too many deaths in my life these days. Living in a city where a missile kills and wounds dozens of civilians, being witness to so many tears is difficult. I would have wanted to escape. I would have wanted to be a child again embraced by the mother. I would have honestly been in silence and love, but I thank God because through this suffering, I learn to love more. Suffering is not only a path to anger and despair. If it is based on faith, it is a good teacher of love. Father, if suffering hurts, it means that you love. Therefore, when you will speak of our suffering, when you remember the thousand days of suffering, remember also the thousand days of love, because only love, faith, and hope give true meaning to the wounds.”
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Communities of Mother of God Preprovince (EEG) continue their presence in Odessa, Kyiv, Lviv, alongside the population and carrying out the works, as far as possible.
The testimony of Sister Teresa Matyja, FMA of the Odessa Community:
“It’s been 1,000 days since the Russian troops invaded Ukraine. 1000 days is a long time, considering that it is a time of war, a time of infinite alarms, and a time of attacks causing injuries and deaths.
This is a time of constant waiting for peace to come. It is a time of prayer and a time of hope. This is the time to provide help of various kinds: material, moral, spiritual. This is a time for conversations that are sometimes very difficult. Once upon a time to listen to another person, a sometimes-desperate person who asks himself: ‘why? Where is God?’ It takes a lot of patience and love to listen to these questions. You have to know how to wait for the other to see the light in all this, see the presence of God who does not want this war, but respects the free will of each person.
I am Polish. I’m always here in Odessa and the thought of leaving never occurred to me. Sometimes it is difficult, but God gives us inner peace and the certainty that He is there, that everything is in His love. Trust in the Providence of God does not disappoint. We had a difficult time living in the basement, because our apartments were flooded while the fire was being extinguished. We had to survive the winter without electricity, often without water.
God has always come with concrete help and sent good people. Everything has its time, because He is in everything. I firmly believe and pray that people will trust in God’s Providence and will pray for their enemies as well. I am not asking when it will end. I know that God watches over everything and does not abandon those who put their hope in Him.
During this period, the students live with us. Currently there are eight of them. We live in a new and rebuilt apartment.”
The testimony of Katerina, who lived with the FMA during all these 1000 days:
“The war divided the life of every Ukrainian into before and after. A ‘before’ that speaks of carefree, lightness, and confidence in the future; an after’ of danger, missile attacks, death of thousands of people every day, and increasing number of photos of military on the Walk of Fame.
No matter how scary it may seem, we are used to reality, remember the past as a fairy tale, and hope for peace.
In the first weeks of war, we thought we would celebrate victory with cries of joy, but today all joy is dissipated because of the loss of thousands of soldiers who defended us.
During the first explosions and destruction, I felt fear. In the past year, during the bombing, I try to keep calm and believe that the Lord, the Mother of God, and the Guardian Angel will take care of us, and that we are under their protection. This inspires confidence and hope for an improvement of the situation.
I feel the presence of God in my life and have been reassured many times that my prayers were answered.
For example, on a day off, there were mass attacks at the workplace. Another day we were hosted by good people, who took care of us after a fire in the house of the Sisters.
The lack of electricity and communication has united us. In the evening, the girls and I would gather in the kitchen, light candles, drink tea, share food, talk a lot, take care of each other, support each other.
The encounter with sisters is a gift from God. They have become our second family. We felt constantly supported and were sure that even in the worst of events, they would not leave us. We will always be grateful to them for this.”
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians continue their presence among the people, bringing a little light in the darkness – a smile, a good word, closeness – and concrete support, counting on the generosity and solidarity of all. You can send contributions and offerings, in the ways indicated on the Website of the FMA Institute, designating in the motive Emergency Ukraine.
