Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine declare October a month of prayer and fasting with the intention of peace

"Of course, our people pray every day, they constantly pray, but in the bosom of the Episcopal Conference, we felt the need to take an additional step towards even greater engagement because we see that this war threatens to reach new levels," Bishop Vitaly Kryvysky, the ordinary bishop of the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, commented for Vatican Radio on the appeal that the Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine distributed on the eve of October, which in the Catholic tradition is specially dedicated to the Rosary prayer.

In the address, which was published on September 29, 2022, on the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels, we read: "We order that all October, which is dedicated in a special way to Mary Queen of the Rosary, say the prayer of the Holy Rosary (jointly or personally) in the intention of peace in our country in every church, community and family. We also proclaim every Friday of October as the day of fasting on bread and water for all Catholics of the Latin rite throughout Ukraine, in the same intention."

The appeal of the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine regarding the Rosary prayer and fasting with the intention of peace in our country.

All-honorable Fathers and Consecrated Persons!

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ!

Russia's war against Ukraine, which we have been experiencing for so long and tiresomely, does not subside. In recent days, the growing military conflict has drawn our attention to the need to strengthen our prayers for the war's end and peace in our country!

Therefore we declare that the entire month of October, which is dedicated in a special way to Mary Queen of the Rosary, every church, community and family, say the prayer of the Holy Rosary (jointly or personally) with the intention of peace in our country.

We also proclaim every Friday of October as the day of fasting on bread and water for all Catholics of the Latin rite throughout Ukraine, in the same intention."

We also ask all believers in God and people of good will to join in common prayer and fasting because prayer is the power of peace aimed at defeating the darkness of war.

Thank you all for your endurance in prayer and for your sacrificial service to your neighbors.

While remaining in prayerful unity with you, accept our pastoral blessing for this spiritual struggle.

Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine

September 29, 2022