05/23/2026
The 2026 Fellows of the St. Gabriel Institute held their fundraiser event in Washington, D.C., raising funds for future students’ studies in the United States. The evening featured a symbolic return of a flag to a Ukraine’s defender and a charitable auction, and was attended by distinguished guest Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. Uliana Boichuk continues with the details.
From Kyiv to Toronto, from Munich to Lviv, Kolomyia, Krakow, Odesa and far beyond, the geography of the 2026 fellows of the St. Gabriel Institute stretches across continents. The program is divided into two parts: an online part, followed by six months in Washington, D.C., where twelve leaders have shared one common mission in Washington, D.C.: learning how to become church diplomats, communicators, and voices of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“Each fellow is called to respond to a demanding vocation: to be a beacon of truth and voice of the Church in a society that increasingly resists any notion of moral sanity and sacrificial love. Yet this is precisely what we are called here for—to learn and give ourselves up entirely, to step back, and to become small, so that, through us, the will of God can be made apparent in the world. In the words of Saint John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease. That is the rhythm with which St. Gabriel’s heart beats”, summarized the year of the Institute’s work in his final speech The 2026 St. Gabriel Institute Fellow Nazariy Dmyterko.
This spirit of formation, service, and international unity became the center of the Gala Evening of the St. Gabriel Institute – an event bringing together fellows, supporters, and members of the Ukrainian community in the heart of the U.S. capital.
“The Institute is helping those who represent the Church throughout the world to know what to say and how to say it. The main message we communicate is that God is at work in the world especially through the Church. St. Gabriel Institute fellows learn to understand more clearly the complex contemporary global context — in which many destroy with the left hand what they build with the right. In this program, participants seek to build with both hands and to bless with both hands. International support, especially in the U.S., is crucial for this initiative, as it exists thanks to people who believe in the future of the Ukrainian Church and Ukraine's voice in the world," said Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia and Founder of the Institute.
Just three days after arriving in the United States as the new Apostolic Nuncio, Gabriele Giordano Caccia attended his first Gala Evening in Washington, D.C., which is the St. Gabriel Institute’s.“My name is Gabriel as well, just like the name of this Institute. The role of Gabriel is to bring news and to carry a message. I am happy to see this young Institute growing with such energy and purpose. I truly believe it will become very important for the Church and for the world, helping bring hope, joy, and understanding. May this Institute continue to grow, and may it help make the world a better place.” said Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America.
The director reflected on the institution’s early growth and mission, describing it as young and still fragile, yet determined to endure and grow. “Our institute is still very young and may appear fragile, yet it is determined to survive, grow, and bear fruit. Like wheat stalks bending in the wind, it may seem weak at first glance, but it carries within itself the strength to give life and nourish others. We are only at the beginning of something we believe has a future and a purpose,” said Fr. Iouri Koslovskii, director of the Institute.
An important part of the St. Gabriel Institute program is hosting guest speakers throughout the six-month formation in Washington, D.C. Among them are diplomats currently serving at the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, who at the Gala Evening shared their prospective meeting 2026 Saint Gabriel Institute Fellows.
“I can hardly believe the Institute is only two years old, because it feels like it has already accomplished decades’ worth of work. Every time I meet these fellows, I’m impressed not only by how knowledgeable and engaged they are, but by how much more they want to do for Ukraine and for their communities. It is truly a pleasure to work with the St. Gabriel Institute, and I hope it will continue growing and inspiring new generations for many years to come,” said Denys Sienik Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States of America Embassy of Ukraine in the USA / Посольство України в США
One of the special guests of the evening was Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, who works closely with young people through his role as Head of the Patriarchal Youth Commission of the UGCC. He noted the significant growth of the St. Gabriel Institute forming a new generation of engaged and well-educated church leaders and communicators.
During the gala, the current fellows – most of whom were organizing a fundraising event for the first time – raised $67,000 with additional donations still coming in to support next year’s students of the St. Gabriel Institute. One of the featured lots of the auction - The Flag of Ukraine with Signatures of Combat Soldiers donated by one of the fellow fathers Vasyl Latchuk from Kolomyya. Flag signed by officers and soldiers of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" which was legendary during the battles for Kyiv, Soledar, and Bakhmut. Gala evening special guest Yuri Deychakiwsky brought the lot for a soldier Oleksandr Vykhruk from the same brigade, who is currently under rehabilitation after being wounded on the frontline.
The MC of the evening was Luke Nicholas
Thank you to all our fonors, friends and partners of Institute!❤️
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