On February 16, the anniversary of the Restoration of the Lithuanian State, Archbishop Lionginas Virbalas, SJ, the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference delegate for the pastoral care of Lithuanian Catholics in the diaspora, together with Conference Chair Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, invited Lithuanians throughout the world to pray for Lithuania and Ukraine in their parishes and their families on March 5. This day of prayer for Lithuanians throughout the world is being observed for the ninth year, to connect with the Homeland and one another, to maintain hope and commitment to truth, to our parishes and communities.
In an annual letter to Lithuanians, the spiritual leaders remembered Msgr. Edmundas Putrimas, who passed away suddenly last November. They mentioned Pope Paul II and Pope Francis’ visits to Lithuania as well as other historical events, and requested that readers continue to pray for Ukraine.
On February 16, Archbishop Virbalas offered Mass at the Lithuanian chapel at the Vatican Basilica. In an interview with Vatican Radio on February 17, he spoke about his new mission and its scope, which is very wide though there are few priests available to assist him. He thanked the Lithuanian laity, especially in Europe, Canada and USA, who organize Masses and various events.
He noted how important his visits to meet Lithuanians abroad are, and how Lithuanians in the Homeland should understand the significant role of Lithuanians in the diaspora. For example, in Oslo, laypersons have taken on the catechization of children and their preparation for First Communion. The pandemic taught us how to use technology to reach one another, and it will never replace Mass or the sacraments, but certainly should be used for sharing and communication, he said. “Prayer must unite us, help us bridge the distances between us, to preserve our Lithuanian heritage and spirit and to take stength from one another.”
