Father Alphonse Bakthiswalagan, superior of the Guanellian community of Iaşi, sends us this brief testimony. The Pious Union had committed to supporting the new work for the disabled in Romania and everything was ready for the start of the work. But then came the war and the very serious problems of assistance to refugees, so the project was temporarily postponed. We say thank you to the Guanellians who work in that country and assure them of our support.

NIn the last four months of the war between Russia and Ukraine, over 170 Ukrainian refugees have passed through our house in Iaşi, and of these so far 20 have stayed to share our Guanellian life.

The Don Guanella Opera and the Iaşi Caritas assist Ukrainian refugees on the border, offering the legal advice necessary to prepare the documents, assisting them with their social and material needs and then offering the possibility of accommodation in our house. These people, in addition to the difficulties they face every day, suffer the tragic consequences of war, experiencing real emotional dramas. We are constantly next to them, offering all the material, medical and psychological support to overcome these difficult times. The tragic situation facing the Ukrainian people has triggered a state

general insecurity, fear and anxiety. Innocent people shed many tears and suffer the dramatic consequences: they leave everything behind, relatives, friends and the whole life they have lived up to now, heading towards other destinations. People are not injured in their bodies, but on their faces you can see the pain of those who had to leave everything and face the unknown future. Here with us they encounter, if they want, the smile of those who welcome them with open arms. We help them not only through material services, but also with the exercise of patience, the invitation to hope, the proposal of faith and a series of fun, interactive and socializing activities, to reduce their tendency to isolate and withdraw. Opera Don Guanella supports these refugees by organizing their transport to the headquarters of the Immigration Inspectorate, in order to obtain temporary protection status. We organize pilgrimages and cultural trips to introduce them to Romanian culture, with outings in the area and fraternal celebrations that help build a small brotherhood between them. On the day of Pentecost, fearful men and women, locked in the cenacle in Jerusalem - because they knew they were persecuted - experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit who transformed their lives forever. So when we see our friends in Ukraine fearful, we call upon the Holy Spirit to bring peace to Ukraine and transform their lives.

p. Alphonse Bakthiswalagan