A community of Polish Capuchin friars is remaining in Ukraine in order to give shelter to those who could not escape the war. Now, they are sharing a video taken from their monastery’s cellar, in which they pray with civilians they are protecting.
These friars are members of the Capuchin Friars Minor of the Custody of Ukraine. The community has branches in Warsaw and Krakow, but this group has chosen not to flee Ukraine. They remain in the country to shelter Ukrainians in need of respite and a safe place to hide.
In the video, the friars are dressed in bulletproof vests, boots, and combat helmets, suggesting they’ve spent quite a bit of time outside and in danger. The people who they pray with look haggard and scared, but they lift their voices in song to praise the Lord and ask for intercession.
The prayer they are chanting translates to:
Holy God, holy Mighty, Holy and Immortal
Have mercy on us …
From air, hunger, fire and war
Save us, Lord!
From sudden and unexpected death
Save us, Lord!
We sinners are asking you, God
Hear us, Lord!
And today we celebrate...