Amid the scars of war: Ukraine’s strength and burden of resilience

By Jenny Kraska*

In Ukraine, memories of a cruel and unyielding war are omnipresent. Visiting cities like kyiv, Bucha and Lviv, it is impossible to ignore the scars left by unthinkable violence.

I arrived in Ukraine with Most Reverend William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, and Szymon Czyszek, director of international growth in Europe for the Knights of Columbus, and every moment spent among these communities revealed to me stories that often go unnoticed. , cries that risk being drowned out by the changing attentions of the world.

The reality of Ukraine’s suffering is stark and the resilience of its people is profound; both demand not only our admiration but also our continued support and attention.

Our first stop was kyiv, where we gathered for mass at St. Alexander Cathedral in kyiv. Mgr Lori concelebrated the Mass with Mgr Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Mgr Mykhaylo Bubniy and Mgr Visvaldas Kulbokas, apostolic nuncio to Ukraine.

For Ukrainians, the Church is much more than just a place of worship; it is a sanctuary in a very real sense. The war is embedded in the daily life of every Ukrainian, many of whom have lost loved ones. I observed faces marked with sadness but not despair – testimony to a nation still rooted in hope.

But it was in Bucha that the reality of this war hit me hardest. Just outside the town is the site of a destroyed bridge; charred cars and bombed buildings are grim reminders of an attempted exodus that, for many, ended in tragedy.

As we stood silently at these sites, recognizing the suffering of a city scarred by horror, it was as if the land itself was in mourning.

We visited the site where eight men were tortured and massacred and later met some of their children, young faces who now carry not only memories but also a legacy of grief.

During a coat distribution organized by the Knights of Columbus, these children received small gifts, and their smiles in the midst of so much hardship were a powerful reminder of the resilience that even the youngest Ukrainians possess.

Our journey to Bucha continued to a mass grave memorial at Andrew the Apostle Church. This magnificent memorial was erected to commemorate the countless lives lost, transforming a place of unimaginable suffering into a place of remembrance. Monuments of remembrance, scattered across the country, bear witness to Ukraine’s enduring strength, its determination to honor the dead and rebuild despite crushing losses.

But the weight of the war does not only lie in these discreet memorials. It is alive in the stories of the ordinary people we met.

Back in Kyiv, Archbishop Lori listened to widows tell their stories of loss, uncertainty and hardship. When asked what help was needed, the request heard repeatedly was “Remember us.” Tell our story.

This request is a reminder that while many Ukrainians need basic necessities such as shelter, food and medical care, they also need their stories to be heard and remembered.

In Lviv, we visited a cemetery of fallen soldiers, an ambulance to Odessa was donated and blessed, and we visited modular housing units built for internally displaced people (IDP), each unit representing a family forced to flee their home.

Despite the difficult conditions, these families welcomed us hospitably, proudly showing us their new homes and surroundings. Finally, the Archbishop met with more than sixty Knights of Columbus priest chaplains who continue to minister in circumstances most of us could never imagine.

Even as the headlines fade, Ukraine’s needs remain the same. The physical consequences of war are immense, but the emotional consequences – the grief, the fear, the uncertainty – are often more difficult to comprehend. We had proof of this at every moment.

But if there is one message I want to convey, it is this: the Ukrainian people have not given up. They continue to rebuild, hope and live with a strength that defies explanation.

They must be assured of our continued support. Organizations like the Knights of Columbus and Caritas Ukraine do vital work, but they rely on awareness and support from around the world to continue.

We cannot let Ukraine’s fate become just another forgotten crisis. The people here aren’t just surviving—they’re showing us what true resilience looks like.

They ask for nothing other than to be remembered, for their courage to be recognized and for the world to support them in their reconstruction.

As I leave Ukraine, the images of these people will stay with me forever. Their faces and their stories left an indelible mark on my heart.

I pray that their stories touch the hearts of many and that their resilience inspires not only sympathy but also action. Let’s not forget Ukraine.

*Executive Director, Maryland Catholic Conference