From June 21 to 29, 2025, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (retreats) took place at the “Space of Hope” Center for nuns from various orders and congregations of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Roman Catholic Church.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).

A pure heart finds time to “be with Him” (Mk 3:14).

A pure heart takes care to register in advance for the 8-day retreat and saves a penny to acquire the pearl (Lk 15:8–10).

A pure heart recognizes the need to become spiritually renewed in silence and quiet, when around reigns the dictatorship of noise.

A pure heart can recognize when there is too much of something and can calm the “heresy of activism” for the sake of a living encounter.

A pure heart seeks greater freedom from fears.

A pure heart knows moderation and does not fall into social networks and the like.

A pure heart is not afraid to see in another person primarily what is beautiful, good, and positive.

A pure heart can listen more, and loves to listen more, in order to receive more and love more.

A pure heart can pray with a cup of fragrant coffee, desires to thank its Creator and glorify Him in everything.

From the depths of a pure heart, Jesus prays all night on the mountain (Lk 6:12). Then, in the wisdom of His pure heart, He calls the apostles and proclaims the Beatitudes.

On one hand, the encounter with Christ in His Word, on the mountain of the Spiritual Exercises, cleanses the human heart to see more. On the other hand — only a pure heart seeks and finds Him in everything. A pure heart sees God and desires to see Him more.

Lord, we ask You for the gift of pure hearts for Ukraine!

Fr. Mykhailo Stanchyshyn SJ