Marist Holds Candlelight Vigil in Support of Ukraine
Students and faculty at the Ukraine Vigil on March 1. Photo credit: “Carlo de Jesus/Marist College”
Members of the Marist community gathered together in the Rotunda of the Murray Student Center on March 1 to hold a candlelight vigil of peace in solidarity with Ukraine.
“We gather in common cause for peace, and to honor the victims of the recent invasion of Ukraine…to mourn those who have lost their lives, and to recognize those who are suffering in various ways from the violence, including the many refugees now trying to flee to safety, President Kevin C. Weinman said at the vigil.”
The event was led by Campus Ministry and Brother Frank Kelly, who began by taking a moment of silence to reflect on the lives lost to war. In addition, Brother Kelly led the community in interfaith prayers in support of the Ukrainian people and their strength.
“As an institution that stands for peace, for freedom and for self-determination, we also stand with all peace-loving individuals everywhere across the globe,” President Weinman said. We wish for a rapid end to the violence and the unfolding human tragedy.”
On Feb. 24, the Russian military began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine as ordered by President Vladimir Putin. Russian forces began missile and artillery attacks, striking major Ukrainian cities including the capital city of Kyiv.
Students and faculty gathered to hold candles and honor Ukrainians fighting to protect their country. With a calming silence and collective presence, the vigil sent a message of peace on campus and beyond.
“As a global institution, the horrors of any war touch Marist College,” President Weinman said. “We have students and faculty who are Ukrainian citizens, and they are fearful for the safety of their family members and friends living in Ukraine.”
Marist adjunct Professor Anna Dega was born and raised in Ukraine and her entire family remains there.
“My whole family is in Ukraine—my parents, my siblings, my nephews, my uncles and aunts, my cousins and my friends,” Dega said. “The most devastating thing is that there is nothing I can do. I sit here in my warm home while my family has to spend nights in cold and damp bomb shelters. My heart literally aches and I can’t hold back tears anymore. I just want this nightmare to be over.”
One of Dega’s cousins is fighting in Mariupol, a city of regional significance in southeastern Ukraine. According to the New York Post, hundreds of civilians in Mariupol are presumed dead after the Russian military carried out a 15-hour shelling attack on the city.
“One of my cousins is fighting in Mariupol,” Dega said. “It is a very hot zone and his baby daughter just turned one month old. He’s been fighting this conflict since 2014. He’s a young man and I worry about him every second of every day.”
In addition to attending campus vigils and discussions on the Russia and Ukraine conflict, Dega said individuals can also show their support by donating to organizations that are helping the Ukrainian population. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, MoveOn and Unicef are providing resources for Ukrainian citizens and currently accepting donations.
“From what I hear Ukrainian soldiers need warm clothes, first aid kits and blankets,” Dega said. “The children also need diapers, formula, clothes. Doctors have to make makeshift NICU units in bunkers. It’s heartbreaking. Also, speak up! Voices are powerful.”
Students and faculty at the Ukraine Vigil on March 1. Photo credit: “Carlo de Jesus/Marist College”
Other organizations that the Marist community can donate to are CARE and the Afya Foundation. CARE is an international humanitarian agency that is providing food, water and hygiene kits to the most vulnerable in Ukraine. The Afya Foundation has been preparing wound care, surgical equipment and biomedical equipment for Ukraine.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 836,000 people have left Ukraine since Feb. 24. Despite many Ukrainians fleeing for safety, thousands of citizens chose to remain in Ukraine and fight to preserve their country and democracy.
“I’m incredibly proud of Ukrainian people,” Dega said. “They are so amazingly brave, so resilient and so defiant. I’m confident they will fight until the end. This is my message: Ukraine will prevail. Ukraine will stand. Слава Україні (glory to Ukraine)!”