“Hope Helps Us Move Forward, Even When in Tears”: UGCC Head Greets Participants of First All-Ukrainian Congress of “Mothers in Prayer”
The First All-Ukrainian Congress of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s “Mothers in Prayer” community began on September 19 in Lourdes, France, and will continue until September 21. On this occasion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, greeted the participants of the congress and gave them his archpastoral blessing.
“First of all, thank you for inviting me to this congress, conducted in Lourdes, where the Mother of all humanity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, has gathered and united you all in this Year of Hope,” the Primate wrote in his letter. “It is hope, whose source is Christ the Lord, that helps us move forward with confidence, without looking back, even when there are explosions, destruction, and bitter tears behind us.”
The Head of the UGCC wished the mothers to fulfill their calling with even greater hope after this event and to pass it on to their children and the entire Ukrainian people. He also thanked the members of the “Mothers in Prayer” communities for their long-standing work for the glory of God and the salvation of people.
In his greeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav highlighted the biblical example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who stood beneath Christ’s cross: “When the disciples fled in fear, when those whom He had healed and nourished renounced Him, the Blessed Virgin Mary remained in His agony for the salvation of the human race—a Mother who prays, sympathizes, and supports. It was on Calvary that Christ made Her our patroness and intercessor.”
Therefore, the Head of the Church emphasized that the mission of the “Mothers in Prayer” communities is to imitate the Virgin Mary, because the intercessory prayer of a mother is a gift from our Savior to His Church.
“Belonging to the ‘Mothers in Prayer’ community means cooperating in the sanctification and salvation of children. This is apostolic ministry! It has always been relevant, but its importance cannot be overestimated today, when the Ukrainian land has now become Calvary,” the Patriarch emphasized.
The Primate thanked the mothers for their prayers and good deeds and asked them to continue to remember the Church and the people in their prayers.
In conclusion, the Head of the UGCC wished the participants of the congress zeal, dedication, and spiritual fruits: “Continue to be for our people, and for all among whom you live and serve, luminous lamps of God’s truth, heralds of the Kingdom of Heaven,” he said. “As a pledge of God’s generous gifts, I bestow my archpastoral blessing upon you.”
