Icons of Faith

Welcoming this Stranger

Dec 29, 2025

Made it to Poland, about to lift off. Before I head back to New York, I want to acknowledge new friends, new family and a few angels who watched over me (not photo’d).

The start of this project would not have been possible without my friend and fixer, Mr. Yury. He was like having an angel on my shoulder. Then there was Fr. Roman, Chaplain in the Ukrainian military, an absolute legend. And, there were more - and I’m sure there will be more to come. There was a lot of behind the scenes, but now we have momentum - to tell a story, to share some truth and to join this fight.

They are too many to list in one post, but they were all extraordinary people. Nobody went an ‘extra yard for me’. No, everyone went an extra mile, meaning - they didn’t drop me at the station. They made sure I boarded the train with cappuccino in hand. They paid for my ticket and made sure I arrived safe.

I will tell each of their stories in time to come, but my love for these people who welcomed this stranger can’t be put in a simple post.

So, before I lose my connection on this plane, let me just say the two most important Ukranian words I learned and heard the most from everyone - дякую … амінь.

Thank you .. Amen.

My letter to the Patriarch and Bishops of Ukraine

Adam Mitchell
December 14, 2025

The Memorial of St. John of the Cross

His Beatitude Sviatoslav,

Glory to Jesus Christ.

The purpose of this letter is to request assistance in documenting the pastoral work of Catholic priests in Ukraine as they minister to the faithful under the immense stress of war. I hope to capture the significance of this ministry through photography and video so that it may be shared with Catholic audiences in the United States and abroad.

My name is Adam Mitchell, and I have served for over ten years as the Digital Media Manager for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers). Much of my work focuses on documenting our mission among marginalized communities and publishing this content across appropriate online channels for mission advancement, vocations, and fundraising for apostolic projects. I am deeply passionate about this work and frequently spend my weekends traveling and documenting Catholic missionary discipleship through photography and video.

It is my goal to travel to Ukraine this month, with the specific objective of documenting the Christmas season among those most impacted by the war, those who, despite immense suffering, find Salvation, Hope, and solemnity in the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. My focus is not solely on the faithful, but especially on the courage, sacrifices, and spiritual fatherhood of the priests who serve them.

Fully aware of the risks and security concerns involved, I am committed to working in close collaboration with the broader Ukrainian Catholic community and will gladly conform to any guidelines or structures necessary to ensure that my presence and work are a support rather than a burden.

While there is a strong possibility that this material could later be used in collaboration with Maryknoll, through Maryknoll Magazine or the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, it is my intention to undertake this project initially on my own time and at my own expense.

I have previously worked extensively in East Africa, South America, and the Amazon, and my photography and video work have been widely published in Catholic media. I would be happy to share my portfolio with you for your review.

I would welcome any time you might have to speak further about this proposal, and I look forward to discerning the next steps toward this goal with your blessing, guidance and support.

Please know, I will prayerfully await your response.

Your friend in Christ,
Adam Mitchell