On September 8, 2022, the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most Reverend Leon Maksymilian DUBRAWSKI, OFM, Bishop of Kamyanets-Podilskyi, the Ukraine (Latin Rite), presided over Mass at the parish church in Mackivci, the Ukraine. During the celebration, the bishop proclaimed the parish church elevated to the status of a shrine, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
This is the third shrine where the friars of the Provincial Custody of the Holy Cross in the Ukraine serve. They also minister at a shrine in Lviv (St. Anthony of Padua) and another in Bilshivtsi (Our Lady of Mount Carmel).
Others attending the celebration included the Most Reverend Edward KAWA, OFM Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of Lviv (Latin Rite); Friar Marian GOŁĄB, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow); Friar Stanisław KAWA, the Custos of the Custody of the Ukraine; numerous religious and diocesan priests; and the faithful from the nearby towns and parishes served by the Conventual Franciscans.
The friars have been carrying out pastoral ministry in Mackivci since 2010. The church and friary were built between 2012 and 2016, through a grant by the Holy See. This year, thanks to a donation from the Province of Cracow, it was possible to construct the main altar of the church. Moreover, with a contribution from the Custody of the Ukraine, the rooms of the friary were completed.
We thank the parishioners and benefactors who contributed to the construction and development of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
Friar Stanisław PĘKALA, Custodial Secretary