Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

During the season of Lent, we prepare for our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection by practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Jesus teaches us that some things can only be accomplished through prayer and fasting (cf. Mt. 17:21). As we consider what we can do in response to the horrors of war unfolding in Ukraine, we should keep our Lord’s instruction to his disciples in mind. Please join me in not only praying, but also in fasting and offering up our sacrifices for peace and for all those suffering in this tragedy.

God of infinite mercy and peace, we pray for the people of Ukraine who are experiencing fear, violence and death. We entrust all their families to You, and we pray that they may not yield to discouragement or despair but be heralds of hope. Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Zarvaniza, spread your maternal mantle over all people of goodwill who live in the great nation of Ukraine. We pray in this moment of crisis that people throughout the world may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Bring peace to all troubled hearts. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please consider contributing to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine:
https://www.catholicnews.com/update-where-to-give-to-help-ukraine/