At the Ecumenical Hour of Prayer for Ukraine at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family on Monday 11th April 2022, Cardinal Vincent, offered the following prayer:
Lord our God, we have strayed from that path of peace. We have forgotten the lesson learned from the tragedies of the last century, the sacrifice of the millions who fell in two world wars. We have disregarded the commitments we made as a community of nations. We have betrayed people's dreams of peace and the hopes of the young. We grew sick with greed, we thought only of our own nations and their interests, we grew indifferent and caught up in our selfish needs and concerns. We chose to ignore you, to be satisfied with our illusions, to grow arrogant and aggressive, to suppress innocent lives and to stockpile weapons. We stopped being our neighbours' keepers and stewards of our common home. We have ravaged the garden of the earth with war and by our sins we have broken your heart, who desires us to be brothers and sisters. We grew indifferent to everyone and everything except ourselves. Now with shame we cry out: Forgive us, Lord!
Holy Mother, amid the misery of our sinfulness, amid our struggles you are ever with us; even in the most troubled moments of our history, you are there to guide us with tender love.
We now turn to you and knock at the door of your heart. We are your beloved children. In every age you make yourself known to us, calling us to conversion. At this dark hour, help us and grant us your comfort. Say to us once more: 'Am I not here, I who am your Mother?’ You are able to untie the knots of our hearts and of our times. In you we place our trust. We are confident that, especially in moments of trial, you will not be deaf to our supplication and will come to our aid.
Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days. Our Lady of the Fiat, on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God. Intercede that the ‘living fountain of hope’, may water the dryness of our hearts.
Lord Jesus, help us to foster the growth of communion. You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace. Amen.
Photo: Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk