Ukraine and the Marists of Champagnat

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brethren, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

“In the name of God, stop this massacre! This is how forceful Pope Francis was on the second Sunday of Lent. We, Marists of Champagnat, also want to join the Pope’s cry and, particularly, the cry of millions of people who suffer the horror of war. Not only do we join in this desperate cry, but we also want to take concrete steps to stand with our suffering brothers and sisters.

Pope Francis, in his message after the Angelus prayer on the 13th, was clear in his proposal: “Faced with the barbarity of the killing of children, innocents and defenceless civilians… the only thing to do is to put an end to the unacceptable armed aggression…”. Yes, let us join those who call for an end to all violence. Let us join those, Christians and people of goodwill, who are working for the earliest possible end to the drama of war, violence and senselessness. Let us join anonymous individuals and organisations to help as quickly and effectively as possible. In the Marist world, especially in Europe, we are finding prophetic and determined responses to help. Proposals from individuals, families, centres and communities. Proposals organised by our Administrative Units, either as their own initiatives or by joining other congregations or institutions.

At the invitation of Pope Francis, refugees are already being welcomed. Thousands of children, women and elderly people are running from the horror of war. The Marist response is already responding to the concrete needs of people who have had to flee: welcome in Marist communities, opening of premises, campaigns to collect money and basic necessities, offers of collaboration, etc. The 5 Marist Provinces of Europe are already responding to this emergency, as are our NGOs. Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Romania, Italy… the list of Marist presences that are mobilising is growing every day. Brothers and Lay Marists of Champagnat, we cannot forget that “in refugees, Christ is present” and “The Lord Jesus awaits you in each one of them” (Rule of Life, 32).

Responding boldly

Today we continue to be called to realise the 5th call of the 22nd General Chapter: “Responding boldly to emerging needs”. We are called to do so personally and as an Institute, as a congregation and in collaboration with other ecclesial and civil institutions. We are called to be resolute in defending the dignity of those who suffer. We are called to respond to the calls of children and young people in the peripheries, and perhaps there is no greater periphery than that produced by war. For “poor children are the reason why we exist and why we were created”. Our Constitutions also remind us of this call to respond (52) as Marcellin did in his time (59).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Marists of Champagnat who have already mobilised, individually or in groups. A wave of solidarity is being felt and experienced throughout the Institute, as a global family. These days, at the General Conference, we feel close to those who are suffering the painful consequences of war, both in Ukraine and in other parts of the world.

Prayer for peace

Pope Francis specifically asks all communities, diocesan and religious, to increase “our moments of prayer for peace”. We invite you, as you read these lines, to take a few minutes to pray for peace. We invite you to promote a moment of prayer for peace, with your family, with your community, with your Christian group. So, act and pray, pray and collaborate!

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Br. Ángel Diego – Director of the Secretariat of Solidarity

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