The following is a letter/update from the Benedictine Sisters in Poland about the Ukranian refugees. It is lengthy, but worth the read. 

Dear Sisters,

Dear Benefactors,

On behalf of the entire CIB Region 7 - Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania - I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, concern and generous support. 

Through CIB and AIM USA we have so far received €155,550 and $434,861. We also received a shipment of medicines and bandages organized by Sister Caterina Goergen of Engelthal Monastery.

We use the funds in two ways: 

- in Ukraine - by giving money directly to Benedictine communities 

- in Poland - by supporting the Benedictine communities that take in refugees (there are about 3 million of them in Poland) and those that organize transports of food, medicines and other necessities to Ukraine (mainly to the Benedictine communities, which take care of their further distribution).

We also receive offers to provide shelter for communities of sisters who would like to take refuge from the war. We are very grateful for them and appreciate this gesture of solidarity, but no sister wants to leave Ukraine. The communities that initially evacuated from the war zones to the west of the country are returning to their convents as soon as it becomes possible. The only sisters who came to Poland were those who accompanied evacuated children from orphanages and were their legal guardians.

Zhytomyr and Lviv (Ukraine)

Thanks to an article in Osservatore Romano, photos of nuns from Zhytomyr taking shelter from rocket fire in the basement of their monastery circulated throughout the world. In early March, the sisters decided to evacuate to their new monastery in Lviv. There, the nuns put practically the entire monastery building at the disposal of the refugees, who at first stayed there only for a short time and continued their journey westwards, mainly to Poland; later only those who did not want to leave Ukraine stayed there - about 90 people. The sisters lived in cells in pairs, leaving only the chapter house for their own use. 

A great joy and a sign of new life was starting the postulancy by Iryna - the first postulant in the history of the Lviv-Solonka monastery.

A few days ago 7 nuns returned to Zhytomyr, where fortunately the monastery survived, the rest of the community stayed to serve the refugees in Lviv. 

Of course, in wartime conditions the sisters are not able to earn a living for themselves and the people they care for, so they are very grateful for financial help.

Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict (Ukraine and Poland)

Sisters have 11 houses in Ukraine - communities from the eastern part of the country had to evacuate temporarily to the west, those who could stay in the place were engaged in helping refugees and local people. The enclosed letter from Sister Jana Bubel OSB, the Delegate of the Superior General for Ukraine, tells about their fate during the war.

Sisters in Poland (21 houses) - in agreement with city authorities – welcomed people fleeing the war. Moreover, sisters in cooperation with Caritas of the Ełk Diocese send humanitarian aid shipments to Ukraine, which are well-organized and safely reach the most needy through proven corridors.

Benedictine Samaritan Sisters of the Cross of Christ (Poland)

Here is an excerpt from a message from Mother General Anuncjata Zdunek OSB Sam:

We have received Refugees from Ukraine in three houses: in Niegowo - Samaria, in Karwow (Single Mother's Home) and in Pruszkow (Social Assistance Home). We helped about 40 people (mothers with children, there are also elderly and disabled people).

Some of them managed to find a job, also in our institutions. We help them with current issues related to their stay in Poland, obtaining benefits due to them from the Polish State, providing schooling for their children. A big challenge are especially those who are ill: condition after kidney transplantation, juvenile diabetes, heart disease and other current illnesses, which involves seeking specialists or transport to doctors or hospitals. The youngest is a 5-month-old boy whose mother is intellectually disabled.

Thank you for your support on behalf of our Guests in need.

Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary (Poland)

Three monasteries of nuns, which have houses of guests, accepted refugees from Ukraine: Przemyśl, Jarosław and Staniątki. 

Our lives have changed radically due to the outbreak of war - says sister Barbara Dendor OSB, the prioress of the monastery in Jarosław - but it is in this situation that we can realize the commandment of love.

Among those fleeing are mainly mothers with children. Some of them spent only a few days in Jarosław before continuing their journey, others remain near the border, hoping to return home quickly after the war is over.

There is also a kindergarten at the monastery which accepts Ukrainian children. 

We do not treat them as refugees but guests who have found a shelter with us, a safe place where they can feel good - adds Mother Stefania Polkowska OSB, the abbess of Staniątki. - We know each other by name. With every day we feel more and more like one big family. Of course, by putting the guest houses at the disposal of the refugees, the sisters lost their source of income and they are very grateful for all the support.

Benedictine Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Poland)

The nuns from the monastery in Warsaw have joined the Caritas Poland campaign "Parcel for Ukraine": each parcel weighing about 18 kg and containing food, medicines and personal hygiene products, will provide basic supplies for a family of several people for a week. Sisters want to prepare at least 100 such packages.

Dear Sisters, Dear Benefactors, once again we would like to thank you for your support and concern for our Sisters and those whom they help in war-stricken Ukraine and take under their roof in Ukraine and in Poland. May the Lord Himself be the reward!

We commend to your prayers all those suffering from the war and assure you of our prayers for all your intentions.

Your Sisters from Region 7