By J. Mota SDB

       Dili, Timor-Leste, 2 March 2022 -- Even though Timor-Leste is far away from Europe, most especially Ukraine where there is a raging war now, the Timorese people cannot close their eyes and shut their ears to what is happening with Ukrainian people. Timorese people cannot help those who are suffering, yet what can be offered is prayer. For this noble purpose, the TLS Salesian Youth Movement (SDB & FMA) headed by Fr. Nelson Gonçalves, SDB and Sr. Júlia Marçal, FMA together with SYM youth and some others from COJUCAD (Dili Archdiocesan Commission on Catholic Youth), some FMA sisters, 2 SDB priests and brothers, SDB aspirants and FMA Novices, organised a special prayer with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Mary Help of Christians Parish in Comoro-Dili.

       This special prayer started with the opening prayer and hymn in front of the church. Before entering the church, some young people held in their hands a paper-made ring to be put together to make an unbreakable chain. It represents the union between human families and to express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. This unbreakable chain was brought into the church and put in front of the altar decorated with the word DAME BA UKRAINA (Peace for Ukraine).

       The adoration was led by Fr. Nelson, SDB and accompanied with hymns, led by the FMA Novices. PEACE FOR UKRAINE is the intention for this youth gathering in prayer. Instead of celebrating the Carnival as the most young people nowadays do, they come together to pray. As we are in the wake of the Ash Wednesday, we are about to start the lenten season, let us ask the Lord’s graces, that we may come to pray without ceasing, to do almsgiving, to fast, to make sacrifices, not only for ourselves, but for other people, most especially the Ukrainian people. We pray for the ending of war, that peace may reign in Ukraine as well as in Russia.

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