On Sunday, August 30, the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tla' Al-Ali, Amman, celebrated Holy Mass, dedicating prayers for peace in Ukraine and throughout the world as well as reflecting a gesture of faith and solidarity in the presence of Ambassador of Ukraine to Jordan Ms. Myroslava Shcherbatiuk and members of staff of the Ukraine embassy.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by parish priest Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader and concelebrated by Fr. Fares Syriani and assistant priest Fr. Ya’qoub Dainoti, along with Deacon Jubran Salameh. At the outset of the Holy Mass, Fr. Bader welcomed Ukrainian embassy delegation members, as well as expressed appreciation for their presence and spiritual participation in this prayer for peace.

During the Holy Mass, the second Biblical reading was recited in Ukrainian by one of the embassy staff members, reflecting a living expression of unity in faith despite the diversity of languages.

The homily touched on the theme of "the Crosses in the lives of believers." Fr. Bader drew an association between the Sunday reading of the Gospel with the genuine Christian call to carry the Cross, pointing to the heavy Cross that the Ukrainian people bear today — the cross of war and the absence of peace.

Fr. Bader recalled how the late Pope Francis used to describe Ukraine as "martyred Ukraine," affirming that Lord Christ's commandment "love your enemies" is not a justification for evil or an acceptance of injustice, but rather an explicit call to awaken the human conscience and to work assiduously for the attainment of a true and just peace.

Fr. Bader also spoke about the visit paid by Holy See Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to Moscow, and how he celebrated Holy Mass for the Catholic Church in Russia, urging her to always be a peacemaker based on justice.

During the Holy Mass, prayers were offered for the martyrs of wars to rest in peace, and for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, and in all the suffering regions of the world.

At the end of the Holy Mass, Ambassador Shcherbatiuk delivered an address during which she expressed her deep gratitude for dedicating the prayer to peace in Ukraine. She also praised the faithful's prayers for her homeland, and offered a supplication for peace in Gaza, Palestine, and the entire world.

The ambassador concluded her address by offering a prayer for Jordan and its wise leadership, pleading with the Almighty God to enshrine the Kingdom with the blessing of security, peace, and stability.