As we hear about wars and rumors of wars, I would call you to pray for peace and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As Our Lady of Fatima said, war is the fruit of sin. We need to repent and pray for the purification of the world. Pray for the full conversion of Russia. Pray for the repentance of the West. Peace will only come after the world is purified. While self defense and just war are part of Catholic tradition, innocents are always caught in the middle. As Catholics we know war is always hell. Ask the Palestine Catholics that my IVE religious order serves, who both oppose their Muslim Hamas government and face having their houses literally blown up by Israeli bombs attacking the aggressive Hamas terrorists. Be wary of anyone calling you or your country to hate one’s perceived enemy.
My response is not to live by the sword but take the crucifix in one hand and the rosary in the other, while calling people to anchor themselves in the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. I am adding extra Masses on Tuesdays during lent at 7:00 pm. praying for peace and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I would encourage you to come to at least one of these Masses during Lent and commit to a weekly holy hour praying for peace during our regular times of adoration. Please pray especially for our IVE missionaries in Ukraine and Russia and Catholics there.