Knights of Columbus invite Catholics to participate in Novena for peace in Ukraine
By Fr. Pawel Rytel-Andrianik and Dorota Boratyn
“In this way, we want to encourage Catholics around the world, people of goodwill, to bear in mind the plight of Ukraine,” says Szymon Czyszek, Knights of Columbus Director for International Development in Europe and coordinator of humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
The Knights of Columbus encourage praying the Novena individually and in the community by organizing prayers in parishes jointly with other groups and local community members. The Novena's intentions each day focus on a different group affected by the war. “It is a prayer for widows, orphans, parents who lost children in the war, veterans, prisoners, but also young people from Ukraine who, in the face of war, are asking about the future of their country and their lives,” Szymon Czyszek points out.
As he adds, the war is not over; people are still dying and still suffering. “As Knights of Columbus, we want to give a voice to Ukrainians who, despite their suffering and experience of evil, bear witness to the fact that evil doesn’t get the final say,” Czyszek says.
This Novena is prepared to be prayed regardless of the date, even after the second anniversary. In this way, the Knights want to foster continuous prayer for the afflicted. The Novena text can be found on the Knights of Columbus website (https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/novenas/novena-ukraine.pdf)
The Knights of Columbus have already helped more than 1.6 million people. In Ukraine and Poland, about 10,000 Knights have distributed about 3.5 million kilograms of food to the displaced, refugees, and others affected by the war. They have sent 250 thousand humanitarian parcels to Ukraine and 4 thousand coat jackets to Ukrainian children. It also donated 60,000 rosaries and hundreds of wheelchairs, power generators, and other essentials.
In an interview with Vatican Radio-Vatican News, Supreme Knight of Columbus Patrick Kelly confirmed that the Knights will continue to help widows, orphans, and the population in Ukraine because “this belongs to the mission of the Knights,” who were called into existence to aid families in need.
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