In the Ukrainian City of Konotop, 90 kilometers from the border with Russia, exists the fraternity that assists the victims of war. Br. Romuald Zagurski, OFM has been carrying out of his service in this fraternity for nine years, three of which were during the war conflict. His vocational history and his actual mission are live testimonies of the Franciscan charism in the midst of adversity.
his vocational history begun in his infancy when his mother took him to the Franciscan Parish. under the guidance of Br. Malachias, he began as an altar server at the age of 6-7 years. At the age 10, heh was inspired by the same friar, he felt the first call to the Franciscan way of life. after a short period of his youth, the experience of a retreat made him enter the Order not only to become a priest but to change his way of life.
When the war broke out, the Franciscan convent was transformed into the refugee center. the friars offered all their resources for food, medicine to the needy even though it was not easy to get the basic needs. In this difficult situation Br. Romuald did not lose hope: “Now the people are without hope”. with no help. It is like that. Deluded in this situation one does not sees the end. in this year jubilee year which is characterized by the theme of hope as promulgated by Pope Francis, the brothers look for the possibility of encouraging the people to dealt with the problems with the help of God.”.
Among the various services that the brothers offer there is also in the basement of the church more than 25 children receive psychological therapy everyday so as to be helped to overcome the trauma caused by war. they are also given an English course.
"We are aware that Europe is tired of helping people but we continue looking for the means of sustaining such persons who have lost everything: Their houses, their property and in some cases their families".
Br. Romuald underlines that his main motive is to serve all the needy regardless of their religion. his final message is an appeal to hope: "It is only with God that we are able to go forward and look at the future with hope, avoiding falling into despair".
A new project that the friars are carrying out is constructing a kitchen with the capacity of feeding 100 refugees every day. this work will be important considering that the help from the State is not enough to cover all the basic needs of the people. any help, even though little, represents the hope of continuing carrying out this humanitarian act.
