Ukrainian Soldiers: A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven

Hello, Catholic soldiers across the Earth in Ukraine.  Peace of Christ and the Immaculate Conception of our Our Lady be your health and protection.  We see the news over here- the attacks, the ransacking and destruction, the separated families, the pain of sadly losing children, spouses, family members, and friends.  We understand that we don’t see everything, especially the internal ire within your souls and hearts.

Not all of us sit idly by as our fellow Catholics suffer overseas.  Though not all of us are able to take arms physically to assist, some take arms in a spiritual way.  There are those of us that either by choice or circumstances fast, eat a smaller meal, avoid entertainment, offer up our own small or large sufferings, make Holy Hours of reparation, and of course offer up an extra Rosary.  We join in the spiritual battle (cf 1 Pet 5:9).

Thankfully others are providing shelter for your families – and others are joining the ranks in combat voluntarily, and sanctions are in effect, while some of us donate financially to help.  All this is of much more value than mere talk (cf, James 2:16).

Missile strikes are not only causing destruction, but even worse making the strike on the heart of not knowing whose home or business it just hit, and how many you know may have died.  Wicked men target your little ones too with strikes, it will not go well for them…  We saw the old man crushed by a tank and miraculously still alive – let such miracles of God bring you hope in battle! (cf Rom 5:5).

Read the story of Moses, who conquered when his hands were elevated to God in prayer.   To help in the battle to keep the upper hand to drive down the enemy, we pray and fast with you and your own, and some of our own veterans help physically by coming over to battle with you. cf, Exodus 17:8-15.

We know you hard workers and veterans are in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and older combating, with aches you didn’t have when you were younger, but now your thinking and methods are wiser and can give wisdom to the younger soldiers (cf 1 Pet 5:5).

I thought of some of the following based on the success I have heard from Catholic war veterans – some I was fortunate enough to meet personally – such as Captain  Gruters, a USAF pilot who flew over 400 missions and attributed his success (and survival as a POW) to Holy Communion, prayer and camaraderie – and from canonized Saints, like Joan of Arc’s armies that were empowered to win by the terror of the Names of Jesus and Mary on their banners.

Always resort to Holy Communion, Rosary, confession… and don’t skip on daily camaraderie, when possible. On the field: holy water, blessed salt, blessed artillery, blessed chalk or even a blessed permanent marker to ink weaponry “flee, begone Satan!” the Benedictine exorcism – to strengthen yourself and strike fear in the spiritual enemy who works behind the Red Dragon of Communism. “Jesus, I trust in you!” to be said daily of St. Faustina Kowalska of Krakow, Poland.  And, of course, communicating with your guardian angel.

It always seems that small Catholic countries get attacked; such as Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, the “little flocks,” in one sense, Our Lord speaks of (cf. Luke 12:32). I saw a picture of one of your soldiers with a rosary on his vest and others venerating Our Lady of Ukraine, that’s powerful. These actions of wearing Our Lady’s Rosary and praying before her image, made me think of the Winged Hussars of old that invoked Our Lady’s help as you do, and had emblems of her on their armor; we can be assured that played a big part in their overwhelming victory, along with the leadership of the great King and General Sobieski.

There are many other stories like this one to read up on, to bring you some peace of mind.  There is also another story of St. Padre Pio coming to the aid of his home, San Giovanni Rotundo, by appearing in the sky and striking terror in a pilot as well as jamming up soldiers’ machinery and weapons!  St. Clare drove away the attacking Saracens that were trying to murder everyone, with the Blessed Sacrament in hand.

Some other Saints to pray to in battle, that are less familiar:  St. Olaf of Norway (995-1030AD), who was a king that died in battle.  The Saints of the Theban Legion, from ancient Rome who converted in masses.  St. Martin of Tours and, yes, St. Francis… he was a knight prior to becoming a monk.

It is understood that there has been and is division in the country prior to the attacks, we continue to pray for unity and peace.  May God grant you good sleep, strength for the battle, wise moves, accuracy, and safety for your families.  Peace of Christ.