Since the Ukrainian invasion, I have had on my desk a photo of the Benedictine nuns, who once lived in Zhytomyr, but evacuated to Liv, with a smaller and newer Benedictine community. The photo was taken in 2021 at Christmas, and twelve very happy nuns are surrounded by Christmas decorations in their church.
“...we
pretend to be grown up and responsible; we are so proud and self-assured--and
look at the result. The world lies in bomb dust and ruins about us.”
Alfred Delp, S.J.: Prison Writings
Little did
these nuns know they would be forced to leave their cloister, and take on the
active work of helping refugees fleeing the war that is ravaging their country.
Not only do the nuns have to deal with feeding and physically caring for the people, but they have to daily deal with trauma. Many of the children suffer because of the horrors of what they have seen as well as experiencing the suffering of the adults in their young lives.
The nuns are not complaining about a disruption in their once serene lives, as they believe that this is what God is asking of them and other religious at this time. Despite all this new work, prayer continues to be the mainstay which holds them all together and brings strength.
As we continue through this Advent, may we all be aware of the many gifts we receive daily and take for granted, and keep all who struggle for freedom in our prayers. In the days before the feast of the birth of our Savior, we will present short meditations by Father Delp, who is an inspiration to all in this season.
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