What does it mean to be a Redemptorist in Ukraine today? How can we proclaim God’s Redemption to people who live each day amid loss, uncertainty, and the wounds of war? These were the questions at the heart of the Week of Redemptorist Spirituality, held in Lviv from 1–5 June.
Over the course of five days, members of the three branches of the Redemptorist Family in Ukraine—the Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers, the Contemplative Redemptoristine Sisters, and the Missionary Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer—gathered for prayer, reflection, study, and fraternal sharing. Together, they explored what it means to live today the common charism entrusted to us by St. Alphonsus Liguori, наших святих та блаженних.
One of the most significant aspects of the gathering was the opportunity for all three branches of the Redemptorist Family to come together around a shared mission and a shared spiritual heritage. In Ukraine, we live our vocation in different ways—through missionary outreach, contemplative life, pastoral ministry, and formation—yet we are united by one common desire: to be witnesses of God’s Redemption among those who need it most. This experience of communion became one of the most precious fruits of the week.
The programme was led by Fr. Piotr Chyła, CSsR, Coordinator of the Redemptorist Conference of Europe. For many years, he served as Director of the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality in Rome, dedicating himself to the promotion and deepening of the Redemptorist spiritual heritage. His extensive experience within the international Redemptorist community brought a rich and universal perspective to the discussions. Through his presentations and reflections, participants were invited to rediscover the roots of our charism and to recognise its enduring relevance in responding to the challenges of the contemporary world.
For the Redemptorist Family in Ukraine, this gathering represented a continuation of a journey that began in 2017, when an international course on Redemptorist spirituality brought together participants from Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, organising international formation events in Ukraine has become considerably more difficult. For this reason, Fr. Piotr’s decision to travel to Ukraine despite the challenges of wartime was received as a profound sign of fraternal closeness and solidarity. We are sincerely grateful to him and to the General Government for their openness, support, and willingness to accompany us during this difficult period of our history.
Participants represented different generations and stages of vocation. The youngest was 19 years old, while the oldest was 76. Young brothers and sisters learned alongside those who have dedicated decades of their lives to the service of God and His people. This intergenerational encounter proved to be a true gift—an opportunity to listen, to share experiences, and to discover together how the same charism continues to inspire and sustain successive generations.
A special guest during the week was Bishop Emeritus Stepan Meniok, CSsR, former Exarch of Donetsk. Part of the territory entrusted to his pastoral care remains under temporary Russian occupation. His testimony of ministry in the midst of war and human suffering offered participants a deeper understanding of what it means to be witnesses of God’s Redemption where human hope is tested most severely.
The question of mission remained at the centre of our reflections. For more than four years, the full-scale war has profoundly affected the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Every day, Redemptorists and Redemptorist Sisters accompany people who have lost loved ones, been forced to leave their homes, endured the trauma of war, or continue to live with anxiety about the future. For this reason, our reflections on spirituality were far from theoretical. They were rooted in real human stories and in our vocation to remain close to those who seek hope, consolation, and the loving presence of God.
Throughout the week, we were reminded that the Redemptorist charism was not born for times of comfort and security. It emerged as a response to human suffering and to the deep need for God’s mercy. Today, this mission speaks with particular urgency in Ukraine. In the midst of war, we are called to witness that Christ continues to act, to heal, and to offer hope even where human strength seems exhausted.
The Week of Spirituality was not only an opportunity for learning; it was also a profound experience of unity. Through common prayer, shared reflection, and fraternal encounters, we came to appreciate more deeply the gift of belonging to one Redemptorist Family, united by a common charism and a shared mission of serving the most abandoned through prayer, contemplation, and apostolic ministry.
As we returned to our communities, we carried with us a renewed zeal for the mission of Redemption and a deeper gratitude for the gift of our vocation. At the same time, we ask the entire Redemptorist Family throughout the world to continue remembering Ukraine in prayer. Our country continues to endure the painful trials of war, yet every day we also witness remarkable signs of faith, hope, and self-giving love. May our shared prayer strengthen us all to remain faithful to the mission of proclaiming God’s abundant Redemption wherever people are most in need of hope.
Alfonsa (Iryna) Karapata
Provincial Superior of the Missionary Redemptorist Sisters in Ukraine
