Across language and cultural barriers, biology student Carolina Coronado says a shared Vincentian mission helped her quickly form a connection with staff from Depaul Ukraine. The organization, founded in 2007 by the Rev. Vitaliy Novak, C.M., is dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness.  

“Even though we speak different languages, we still speak that one human language of love and understanding,” Coronado says.

Coronado was one of four DePaul student ambassadors who traveled to Romania to witness Depaul Ukraine’s work this summer on a site visit for the Opus Prize.

Hosted this year by DePaul University, the Opus Prize recognizes exceptional individuals who support their communities through faith-based humanitarian work. Fr. Novak is a finalist for this year’s $1 million prize. Opus Prize Week event programming, held Oct. 26-29, is free with prior registration.

Humanitarian response to a surge in need

When war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, Fr. Novak led Depaul International’s humanitarian response. In those early months, he led convoys of trucks delivering aid to cities that were under attack. Today, he serves as a chaplain in the Ukrainian Air Force while continuing to support relief efforts.

To ensure the safety of student ambassadors amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the DePaul delegation traveled to neighboring Romania. Jesuit Relief Service hosted the group and provided a space for DePaul’s ambassadors to connect with Depaul Ukraine staff, and the group watched a special message from Fr. Novak.  

“He sent videos explaining why he couldn't meet us directly and had to send representatives, and we immediately understood,” says Nicholas Hawkins, a film and television directing student. “In the videos, he was on the front line in his military fatigues, and he looked tired. You could tell he's really doing the work.”

Fr. Novak is a priest with the Congregation of the Mission, which founded DePaul University.  

This year’s Opus Prize theme, “Uplifting the Dignity of All,” unites the mission of the Opus Prize and the Catholic, Vincentian tradition that is at the core of both DePaul University and Depaul Ukraine.  

“The representatives from Depaul Ukraine spoke highly of him as a humanitarian and someone who truly cares about those around him. When I think about Father Vitaliy, I think about how we should all try to be a bit more like him,” Hawkins added.  

For the DePaul ambassadors from Chicago, it was uplifting to encounter another community living out the Vincentian mission.  

“Depaul Ukraine employs a real Vincentian approach to listening for needs,” says Georgianna Torres-Reyes, associate vice president for student engagement and staff representative on the trip. “They sit, listen to the need and make adjustments as the community requires. Not only that, but they also use an asset-based community approach, asking how they can use people’s talents to solve the issues they’re facing.”

Sharing the Vincentian message across borders

For the student ambassadors, the experience sparked a renewed commitment to be of service to others.

“It’s scary to start doing that — it feels like it’s impossible to start, because there’s so much to do. It’s hard to focus on one thing without feeling like you’re neglecting something else,” Hawkins says. “If there’s one thing I left this trip with, it’s that a small action can go a long way and can build into larger and larger actions.”

Coronado says the experience inspired her to carry forward the stories she heard on the trip.  

“This experience taught me the true power of being a witness,” Coronado says. “It's more than just being there in the moment and embracing what they have to offer — it's also the challenge of being a storyteller and finding a way to share what you’ve learned in an authentic way.”  

Representatives from Depaul Ukraine will visit Chicago for DePaul’s Opus Prize Week programming. Community members can meet staff from each finalist organization throughout the week, culminating in an awards ceremony open to all with RSVP on Oct. 29. Event information and registration is available here.  

You can also learn more about the student ambassadors’ trips and get to know the finalists on YouTube.