On February 18-20, 2025, the Custody of the Holy Cross in Ukraine celebrated the second part of its Ordinary Custodial Chapter. The event took place at the Bl. James of Strepar Friary in Bilshivtsi, Ukraine. The Provincial Custos, Friar Stanisław NUCKOWSKI, presided.
The Chapter began with Mass presided over by the Most Reverend Edward KAWA, OFM Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of Lviv, Ukraine, who then delivered a meditation to the Capitulars.
In his homily, the bishop focused on two phrases: “pay attention” and “watch yourselves.” When said in the context of the ongoing war, these phrases remain relevant for us, for the Church and for a world that is experiencing a crisis of faith and identity. “Pay attention” means staying united with the Lord in everything we experience. Jesus finds the disciples asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. This is a telling image of what we are experiencing today in the Church in Ukraine. Despite the sacrifices, the great suffering and the many challenges, we can remain asleep, becoming increasingly passive. It is faith that drives us to act. Jesus warns against “the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod”, that is, against disbelief and the cooling of the action of grace. Satan sows doubt and anxiety, tempting us to act in purely human ways. However, in order for the Kingdom of God to be realized in the creation of community and fraternal relationships, it is necessary to renounce the “leaven of pride”, listen to God and seek his will. The Chapter is not just a time to make decisions and assign tasks, but also a time of grace, asking God what we are meant to do.
The meditation after Mass was focused on reminding the Capitulars of the priorities of spiritual and communal life. Referring to the parable of the vine and the branches (John 15:1-11), the bishop emphasized the need to remain in God. He is the One who tends the vine and expects us to bear fruit, which comes from being deeply rooted in Him. Speaking about the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13), the bishop emphasized that God provides everything we need to bear fruit. God requires us to obey His will, and the fruit we must receive and bear is Jesus Himself. At the same time, the bishop warned about certain dangers, such as selfishness and a lack of spiritual light, which can lead to dissatisfaction and complaining. He recommended pruning some leaves from the vine to allow for better growth. In this spiritual struggle, the role of the community is crucial, and it is also important to pay attention to the renewing power of the sacrament of reconciliation.
At the end of the Chapter, the new Guardians were elected. They are: for the friary in Lviv, Friar Sławomir BYSTRY (second term); for the friary in Boryspil, Friar Aleksander LITWINIUK; Kremenchuk – Friar Piotr FRANKÓW (second term); Matskivtsi – Friar Stanisław PĘKALA; and Bilshivtsi – Friar Marian MELNYCZUK.
Friar Stanisław PĘKALA
