Like so many, our family’s dinner table conversations have been dominated by the news from Ukraine over the past week. Even as our children look for answers, we’ve found our attention as parents consumed by the devastating images, videos, and news flooding in at every hour of the day.

Anyone who was wondering last week “what to do for Lent” now has a clear directive: pray, fast, and give alms for Ukraine, that their sacrifice, and the end of the world as we know it, may lead to a better, more courageous, and more peaceful world in the future. If the bravery of the Ukrainian people leads those who share Gospel values to band together to defend freedom and the dignity of the person and the common good over their own careful positioning and comfort, our prayers will have been answered.

For now, the outcome is unknown, but our Lenten duty is clear. As Pope Francis said this past Sunday:  
 
“My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. … I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make Ash Wednesday a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”

Candidly, in the daze of disbelief, we’ve already missed a number of opportunities to lead our family in prayer. But in the uncertain days ahead, we hope you’ll join us in: 

• Modeling a life of daily, personal prayer to our children; 
• Initiating tough conversations about the war, and leading our children toward age-appropriate understandings; 
• Uniting this sacred season’s tools of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, with the intention for peace; 
• Leading our children in daily, family prayer;  
• Taking our family to Adoration to pray together for peace. 

Last week we shared the Trinity House Lenten Challenge with you. We still look forward to taking that Challenge with you—augmented by your ideas, experiences and feedback—in the weeks ahead, but today we must not turn away from the reality of Ukraine. In these days of war, may our families be marked by a confident, trusting, and humble turning to our Lord in daily prayer for peace.