Four years of war in Ukraine
In the shadow of reports from the front lines, four years of war in Ukraine have been accompanied by the quiet and systematic assistance of nuns, who have been close to those most in need since the first days of the conflict and remain with them.
From initial response to permanent presence
In the first weeks of the invasion, sisters from nearly 150 congregations operating in Poland and Ukraine joined in the relief effort. A total of 924 religious houses in Poland and 98 in Ukraine were involved in the activities. A total of 498 houses in Poland and 76 in Ukraine declared their readiness to accept refugees. At least 2,400 families, including over 3,000 children, found shelter.
Initially, this was a response to the sudden tragedy of war. Accommodation, medical assistance, psychological and spiritual support were organized.
Over time, the aid took on a long-term character. Many families were unable to return to their cities. Religious houses became a place for long-term stays. The sisters accompany families in their integration, the education of their children, and the process of trauma healing. It is daily work with no end date in sight.
Zhytomyr. A kindergarten that operates despite the war
In Zhytomyr, three sisters from the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth run a kindergarten and a support center for families affected by the war. The facility was launched in May 2022 in premises provided by Caritas and has been operating continuously ever since.
Every day, about 20 children aged four and five use it. For many families, it is not only a place of care, but also a place where children regain a sense of security and stability. In addition to educational activities, there is communal prayer and relationship building. In the context of a protracted conflict, ordinary everyday life becomes the foundation for reconstruction.
Staying despite the danger
Sisters from the Congregation of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary also remained in areas particularly affected by the war. From the beginning of the conflict, they organized humanitarian aid and accompanied families experiencing the loss of loved ones.
Today, spiritual and psychological support is becoming increasingly important. The prolonged war brings fatigue and a sense of helplessness. In such circumstances, simply being present, being ready to listen, and praying become a concrete form of help.
The voice of young people, which remains relevant
In the first months of the war, students from a school run by the Nazareth Sisters in Warsaw, together with their peers from Nazareth schools on different continents, prepared a musical appeal for peace and solidarity with the children of Ukraine. The recording, published on YouTube, became an expression of the unity of young people across borders.
Four years later, this appeal sounds not like a memory, but like a reminder that the tragedy of the youngest continues and that solidarity cannot be a temporary reaction to the first weeks of the crisis.
A testimony of perseverance
Yesterday’s anniversary did not bring a breakthrough. It confirmed that the war is still going on and the needs remain enormous. The help provided by the nuns is not a one-off event. It is a constant, consistent presence with children, women, and families.
In a world that quickly shifts its attention to the next crisis, their perseverance remains a clear sign of hope. Not as a slogan, but as a decision made every day.
Source: Vatican News
