UGCC Head Visits Basilian Fathers and Sisters Servants in Fatima
On October 7, during his official visit to Portugal, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, visited the monastic communities of the UGCC in Fatima — the Fathers of the Order of St. Basil the Great (O. S. B. M.) and the Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (S. S. M. I.). During the meeting, the participants discussed the particularities of missionary activity, spiritual goals, and challenges related to pastoral care among Ukrainian migrants.
Today, three priests of the Order of St. Basil the Great serve in Fatima: Fathers Silvio Litvinchuk, Venedykt Derkach, and Gabriel Tymchyk, as well as two Sisters from Brazil — Sister Celia Antonio and Sister Maria-Claudia Derhun.
During a conversation with the Head of the Church, the Sisters shared that they began their ministry last year in response to the Church’s request for a missionary presence in Fatima. “We work with children and young people, help in the sanctuary, participate in communal prayer, catechize, and visit Ukrainian families to support their faith and connection with the Church,” said Sr. Celia.
Sister Maria-Claudia noted that one of the main goals of their mission is to unite Ukrainians living in Fatima and help them preserve their national and spiritual identity.
“We have a plan to visit Ukrainian families, get to know them, and invite them to church so that they feel that the Church is close to them,” she said.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized the importance of their work as spiritual mothers and educators, especially given that the number of Ukrainians in Portugal has grown from 30,000 to 90,000 since the outbreak of the full-scale war.
“You can show them that it is possible not to lose their identity, and you will teach some Ukrainians the Ukrainian language,” said the Primate, underscoring the uniqueness of the Sisters’ mission, who belong to the fifth or sixth generation of Ukrainians from Brazil and speak Ukrainian fluently.
During his visit, the Head of the Church also spoke with the Basilian Fathers, who have been fulfilling pastoral ministry for Ukrainians in Fatima since 2008. The Fathers represent three different provinces of the Order: Fr. Silvio Litvinchuk (Brazil), Fr. Venedykt Derkach (Ukraine), and Fr. Gabriel Tymchyk (Transcarpathia).
Father Silvio recalled that at the beginning of their ministry, only 15–25 Ukrainians came to pray. The most striking challenge was the lack of their own premises, which ultimately prompted the idea of constructing a church.
The priests noted that now the parishes where they serve have up to 70–80 people attending Sunday Liturgies. They actively conduct catechesis and have previously organized camps for children.
They currently serve the parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and are constructing the first Ukrainian church in Portugal — the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cornerstone of the shrine was consecrated by Bishop Stepan Sus, chairman of the Pastoral Migration Department, on November 14, 2021, and the cross on March 19, 2023.
In addition, Fr. Venedykt said that the Basilians not only serve Ukrainians but also assist local Roman Catholics, hold services in four languages, and actively participate in daily prayers at the Fatima Shrine.
“We hear confessions in different languages — Ukrainian, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish — and serve in nursing homes. We also regularly fundraise for the Ukrainian military,” said the priest.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the Basilian Fathers for their dedicated service. He then visited the construction site of the Ukrainian shrine in Fatima, saying: “This temple will be a sign of the presence of our people and our faith in the land where the Blessed Virgin Mary called for prayers for peace.”
