Testimonial of Victor Zhuk

After finishing my theological studies in 2015, there finally came time to give back after having received so much during the period of Jesuit formation. To be precise, the Jesuits in formation do not only study, but also have an opportunity to apply what they learn: for me it was during “regency”, a two-year period of working in Istituto Leone XIII, a school run by the Jesuits in Milan; as well as in manifold pastoral summer activities and the ongoing apostolate work at least once a week during various stages of my studies. Still, being sent for the first full-time mission as a priest marks the beginning of a new responsibility. In 2015-2019 I worked in St Thomas Institute in Moscow, teaching and having various other duties. After those four years, the superior of the Russian Region decided to send me to my homeland – Belarus, where in the city of Vitebsk in the north of the country two Jesuits (a Polish and a Russian) had been ministering for a number of years in the local diocese, but with restrictions which the Belarusian government imposes on the priests and the religious from abroad. Even if we could now formally make a real Jesuit community (which must start with at least three members), we were and still are “the least Society”, as St Ignatius would call the Order he founded. In the past this land has seen a much larger presence of the Jesuits: Polotsk, the seat of the general curia of the Society during the period of suppression, is just 100 km away from Vitebsk. The Society of Jesus is now building a church for the growing Catholic community in a new part of the city, together with a small pastoral centre, in order to offer activities characteristic of our charism.

Belarus under the lockdown

In the meanwhile, I did my tertianship in the Philippines, returning to Belarus after six months in March, 2020 just in time before the lockdowns took effect all around the world. The reality of pandemics meant having hands tied in terms of pastoral activity – both in the parish and offering retreats in various places. Being forced to cancel the retreat which was planned since the previous year to be held in June 2020, I took the initiative to offer an online Ignatian retreat, based on 9 pre-recorded video inputs for personal prayer, with the option to be accompanied by a spiritual guide - a member of the team of the Jesuits and non-Jesuit collaborators. The response to this proposal was far greater than expected (initially thought for those who had to give up on the "live" retreat), with several hundred Russian-speaking participants from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Some stated that they had had the desire to take part in an Ignatian retreat, but never got an opportunity to do it because of the travel distances or other difficulties, while the online option was just right to have a deepened experience of prayer and to approach the treasures of Ignatian spirituality. In a paradoxical manner, the pandemics has opened a door to a new apostolic opportunity in the web. I repeated this experience, offering another online retreat, based on the book of Exodus and Ignatian “Spiritual Exercises”.

Political turmoil

The year 2020 has been a difficult one for Belarusians not only because of COVID-19, but because of the political turmoil which followed another rigged presidential election, and the violent crackdown on those who protested against being robbed of their votes. Until now the situation remains difficult, as there seem to exist two parallel realities: the utopian world shown on state television, and the reality of the majority who oppose lies, injustice and persecution. Witnessing the repression by the dictatorship state on its own citizens is a constant source of pain, but seeing people’s readiness to be even put in jail for their desire of justice and freedom fills one’s heart with gratitude and hope. I am personally so grateful that the Catholic Church has not remained silent about the flagrant injustice of those in power. It is still unclear how the situation will evolve, and the society is living in a state of uncertainty and anxiety. In these circumstances, as one of my parishioners affirmed, those who have faith are so blessed, for we put our trust in the God who raised Jesus Christ after a painful death to a new life. In the midst of this turmoil, as I myself was charged with “participation in an unsanctioned event” (the famous “23.34” article of the law) and even spent one night in jail, it was very inspiring for me to find out the story of my Jesuit brother martyr Stanisław Michalski who was beaten to death by the communists and died on Christmas day 70 years ago, in 1950. He had chosen to remain in Belarus, on the territory of the Soviet Union, in order to minister to God’s people, while many other priests took the opportunity to flee to Poland.

With young families

Even in the middle of all these difficulties, life goes on, and I feel privileged to witness the joys and hopes, as well as struggles and fragility of the mostly young families who form our parish. As we await that the church building should be ready by summer 2021, we continue to gather in a very limited space we rent, which makes us feel truly as one family. I was grateful to find out that Pope Francis announced a year dedicated to families, starting March, 19, urging to rediscover the message of “Amoris Laetitia”. Together with others, I want to take this opportunity to seek to offer to our families the inputs and tools to help them live out their Christian faith in daily life. May the Lord lead us where He wants to see us, for His greater glory.