Cardinal Krajewski blesses the house for single mothers and women in crisis in Lviv
This was reported by the website of the Lviv Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine.
The solemn inauguration of the House of Mercy was attended by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki, the Metropolitan of Lviv, as well as the auxiliary bishops of the Lviv Archdiocese, Leon Maliy and Edward Kawa. Also present at the ceremony were Mother Teresa Maciushka, the General Superior of the Albertine Sisters, Mother Silvana Hamond, the Superior of the Warsaw Province of the Albertine Sisters, representatives of the city of Lviv, and numerous invited guests from Poland and Ukraine.
The opening of the complex was preceded by a Holy Mass and the consecration of the chapel and residential quarters for the sisters who will live, pray, and work there.
Welcoming the guests, Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki expressed his gratitude for the presence of Cardinal Konrad, who, in 2020, consecrated the cornerstone for the construction of the shelter and chapel and, together with Pope Francis, supported the construction in every possible way. The Metropolitan expressed deep gratitude to the Apostolic Nuncio for coming to Lviv, for his constant presence in Ukraine during the full-scale war, and for his contribution to building God's peace.
Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki also addressed the women who will live in this House and the sisters who will care for them:
"Dear women, I wish for this building to become your home, where you will find safety, peace, and a renewed zest for life. I also want to address the Albertine Sisters: it's good that you are here! It's good that you bear the sweet yoke of love on your shoulders.
Cardinal Krajewski consecrated the chapel and the premises where the sisters will reside. In his sermon during the Holy Mass, the distinguished guest noted that despite the sirens of air raids repeatedly interrupting work and many workers being called to military service, this house was completed because every Godly mission must be fulfilled.
"This house is here so that the sisters who have followed Christ can be with Him here—'tanning' in front of the Most Holy Gifts, receiving the 'glow' of Jesus and serving Him here, just like the women in the Gospel who followed Him for three years, stood at the foot of the cross, and were the first to meet Jesus after His resurrection. So, dear sisters, always be here with Jesus, always serve Him in the poor. And this is literally the same as what Brother Albert said: that you should be as good as bread, which tastes best when shared with others—those who need it."
After the conclusion of the Holy Mass, a ceremony was held to open the entire complex of the Ecumenical Center of Mercy of Blessed Bernardine of Jablonka. The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Lviv, representatives of the Regional Military Administration, as well as representatives of the General Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Lviv and numerous guests from Ukraine and Poland. Addressing everyone present, Cardinal Krajewski said:
"When Pope Francis learned that the construction of this house was completed, he said that this is purely an evangelical matter. Jesus would have done the same because from morning to night, He sought those in need of help. Today, through us, He has done the same. So, today, we can say about ourselves that we are people of the Gospel. Let us consecrate this house together so that all those in need of help can find refuge here. Originally, it was intended to be a Home for Single Mothers and Women in Crisis. But an open war began, so today, this house is also intended to provide support to people who have arrived in Lviv, fleeing from areas affected by hostilities, and who need temporary shelter and assistance."
