The Holodomor, a term derived from the Ukrainian words for hunger and extermination, refers to an attack against the Ukrainian people often referred to as the “terror-famine”. It occurred during the years 1932 – 1933 and was caused by the decisions of Joseph Stalin, leader of Soviet Russia, to “collectivize” Ukrainian agriculture in 1929. During these fateful years, an organized attack against Ukrainian families was carried out that featured the withholding of food, prohibitions on travel, local terror, and a campaign of destruction directed against Ukrainian intellectual and cultural elites. As a result of these Russian policies and actions, at least 3.9 million Ukrainians perished many of them women and children.
Information about this fearful event was withheld and kept hidden for many years. Now however, in our time, Holodomor Remembrance Day is observed around the world on the fourth Sunday of November. Countries around the world including Canada and the Vatican have recognized the Holodomor as a genocide. In May 2008 the Government of Canada recognized the Holodomor with an Act declaring the famine an act of genocide and establishing a National Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day.
As we remember this act of terror-famine, we are keenly aware that since February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been under the unprovoked and merciless attack of Russian armed forces. Now in its ninth month, this criminal military campaign is causing countless deaths, the terrorizing of the elderly, the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the tearing asunder of families. This senseless Russian aggression continues and every day new widows and orphans are created.
During his Wednesday (Nov. 23, 2022) general audience in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis drew a parallel between Russia's war on Ukraine and the "Holodomor". This is the first public time that Pope Francis has made the comparison. In his remarks, he agreed that the Holodomor, which means "to kill by starvation", truly was a "genocide".
So it is time for all of us at Mary Mother and around the world to stop and remember our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. We remember by extending our support and by offering our prayers as we join our hearts to theirs in their agony.
A Prayer for Ukraine
God in heaven.
Creator of all flesh, Worker of wonders,
Do not stay silent; do not remain voiceless;
do not keep aloof.
For an evil man has come to power and declared war on
another country,
saying 'We will rise up violently against you in battle.'
But you, God, have commanded us in your sacred scriptures,
saying 'Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour.
I am God, 'Therefore, make the aggressor desist from destruction.'
We pray to you now, God of the spirits of all flesh, to use your
infinite power to end these acts of bloodshed and terror.
Spread peace across the earth and bring joy to all its
inhabitants, so that the words of the prophets can be fulfilled:
'
The warriors bow will be broken, and peace will be promised
to all peoples. God will judge between the nations and
arbitrate between many countries.
They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their
spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword
against nation neither shall they learn war anymore.'
