COMMENTARY: Let us build a shrine to martyred Bishop Nicholas Charnetsky (08/08/04)

COMMENTARY: Let us build a shrine to martyred Bishop Nicholas Charnetsky

by the Rev. Michael Woloshyn

"Here I will stay for ever, this is the home I have chosen." (Psalm 132, 14)

During the Divine Liturgy Pope John Paul II celebrated in Lviv on June 27, 2001, he beatified 27 Ukrainian Catholics as martyrs and confessors of the faith who died under the atheistic Soviet regime. Bishop Nicholas Charnetsky, one of these martyrs, was always considered an outstanding figure in our country and Church, and the faithful have long venerated his relics - even before his beatification.

On July 4, 2002, the relics of Bishop Nicholas Charnetsky were solemnly transferred from the Lychakiv Cemetery to the Church of St. Josaphat. Since the deposition of the relics of Bishop Charnetsky, the Church of St. Josaphat has become a popular pilgrimage site for thousands of faithful from all of Ukraine and for people from other countries, such as Austria, Bolivia, Canada, Germany, Poland, the United States, Japan and others.

The shrine cannot accommodate all of these pilgrims, and it is impossible to change the infrastructure of the church as it stands. The number of pilgrims who come to venerate the Bishop Charnetsky and come to pray for miracles is constantly growing, so we are faced with the challenge of building a shrine that will become a permanent pilgrimage site and a place for continuous missions under the guidance of the Redemptorist religious.

We were blessed to acquire a suitable site on which to build the future shrine. It is situated on one of the prominent hills of Lviv at the intersection of Varshavska and Vyacheslav Chornovil streets. Here we wish to build a beautiful shrine where the relics of Bishop Charnetsky will be venerated, a museum of the underground church and other valuable exhibits. This will be the first pilgrimage site in our Church dedicated to one of the most renowned saints of the last century.

We have already commenced our collection of funds both in Ukraine and in other countries. At this time we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to our benefactors and donors who have supported us with their donations and prayers throughout these past years. With your generous contributions you have greatly helped not only the Redemptorist community, but also all of the faithful pilgrims who will come to this future shrine for prayer services and to venerate the sacred relics of this Ukrainian martyr with the hope of being granted God's grace. Every prayer that is granted, every healing through the intercession of Bishop Charnetsky will be acknowledged and recorded. Because of your willingness to cooperate with God, these, too, will be added to your list of good deeds.

Ukraine is in a difficult economic situation. Therefore, the only way we can realize this dream of a shrine is through the voluntary donations of our faithful. We humbly turn to you with a sincere request to continue your heartfelt support of this worthy project through your fervent prayers and through your generous donations.

We trust that you will support this worthy dream. We sincerely invite you to visit Ukraine to see the significance of this holy project for yourself and to share our joy and hope in promoting the veneration of Bishop Charnetsky.

May Bishop Nicholas Charnetsky be your guardian and intercessor. May he intercede for you that you may obtain God's blessings upon all of your personal plans and wishes.

Checks may be made payable to: St. John's - M. Charnetsky Fund, Account 310530-000, and mailed to: Selfreliance UA FCU, 734 Sanford Ave., Newark, NJ 07106.

For further information readers may contact: Redemptorist Fathers, 719 Sanford Ave., Newark, NJ 07106; phone, (973) 371-1356; e-mail, [email protected].

The Rev. Michael Woloshyn, is provincial of the Redemptorist Fathers in the Lviv Oblast.

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