Special mass at the Santa Barbara Mission calls for peace between Russia and Ukraine
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A special mass for peace between Russia and Ukraine took place at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara today. These masses have been requested by Pope Francis.
According to the Santa Barbara Mission Facebook page the Pope's message was:
"I invite every community and every one of the faithful to join with me on Friday, March 25, in making this solemn act of consecration of humanity, and especially of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary so that she, the Queen of Peace, may obtain peace for the world." -Pope Francis
Church bells welcomed those attending to what was also the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary.
At the altar was the painting of Our Lady of Vladimir which has deep history back to the 1600's for both Ukraine and Russia.
As people were arriving they said there was a special meaning that brought them to this mass and they hoped for an end to the war.
Deborah Mele said, "I think it is the only hope we have that it can end in non violence. That's why I am here."
Nearby Don Rizzo walked up and said, "so I certainly support Ukraine and the Ukrainians and I will pray for them today."
A Mission docent, Sandy Wallace said she watched the Pope's message earlier in the day. "That was just more than touching, it was unbelievable. So many people praying."
A letter from the Pope was read by Father Larry Gosselin who said, "at this dark hour the church is urgently called to intercede."
Speaking during the mass Father Gosselin said he had been sick lately and believes it is the images of the conflict that have triggered his illness. "It's this war, it's this war, I can't handle it anymore. I am overcome by the devastation, the destruction, the evil, the greed . Everything that is associated with this war is mind boggling.
He called the threat of nuclear action was another turning point. "I said that is evil , and the fact that (Russian President Vladamir) Putin can even put that on the table of a threat, is a moral evil."
Recalling as a 20-year old in the Air Force he rejected a flight with nuclear bombs and he said that turned him to his religious life. "I said that is evil and I left the flight line and I went to my superior and said I will not do that," said Father Gosselin.
Those attending said the mass was meaningful, and called for the faith community to have more public gatherings in support of an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
