Universidade Católica gathers in prayer for peace in Ukraine

Hundreds of students, professors and employees of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) gathered this afternoon in a moment of prayer for peace, next to the image of Our Lady, at the headquarters of UCP, in union with the Ukrainian community of the University and with all the people of Ukraine, who live in a situation of war.

Present at this moment of prayer, José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, vice-rector of the Universidade Católica, emphasized the objective of this initiative "to unite with Pope Francis, who wanted to make March 2 a day of Prayer and Fasting for the Ukrainian people".

"We also wanted to express on behalf of the academic community, our solidarity and willingness to do everything in our power to support the Ukrainian people," he added.

The moment of prayer, which began with the hymn "The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of peace," was experienced with emotion by all who attended. An initiative that according to the UCP's chaplain, Father Miguel Vasconcelos, "was intended to be of union with the Ukrainian members of the academic community, their families and with all those who suffer from this war".

"It's not the only thing we want to do," said the chaplain of UCP, "but it is a moment that sets the pace and tone of the initiatives we want to do, trusting in God, with the certainty of his will, his love for all humanity, and his wishes for peace," he stressed.

As for the great adhesion of the students, the chaplain of UCP, says he was "very happy because it is revealing of how this situation touches us deeply, how involved we are with what is happening and in the struggle for Peace."