(ANS - Rome) - The first missionary from the Salesian District of special status of Ukrainian greek-catholics, legally started a little over a month ago, is the deacon Taras Galaiura, born in 1981 in Lutsk, Ukraine, in the middle of the communist regime, and now an enthusiastic member of the Salesian Missionary Expedition 143°.

Who or what inspired you to become a Christian?
My youth was spent under communism, it was not easy to have access to the churches. The churches were there, but not all were open, the catechism was not taught. But I had essential questions inside of me. In one way or another these questions emerge. If you do all young people: Why am I alive? Where am I going? How will it all end? No one can give you the answers! Yes, one can speak of equality, to maintain well-being and life, protect human rights ... but after that? When life ends?

And why a Catholic?
Because unity is visible. It is not possible that God contradicts himself.

Do you already know where and with whom you are going to work?
I will be working in the Province of Brazil-Porto Alegre, but I do not know which house. I am of the Greek Rite and in Brazil there are faithful of this type, because there has been migration from Ukraine until the end of the nineteenth century. Even now there are the faithful, for example, in Curitiba. However, normally I will work in the communities of the Roman rite, and only from 1st  September was the District of Byzantine-Ukrainian rite, UKR, where I come from, set up.

What do you miss most about your homeland?
Of course, maybe I'll try a little 'emptiness’ ... but more than the absence, I will be a challenged to give of my best that I have brought from my land and give it to others. This is what others need from me. And so there will be a 'emptiness’, but a force that will push me to give of myself ... something, therefore, that will be not be marked by its absence, but rather a positive sign.

And in a positive sense, then, that wealth brings a Ukrainian missionary to Brazil?
The love of the young Ukrainians, from whom I have learned so much in my life: the gift of Ukrainian youth I'll take it to the young Brazilians. I'll only be a channel. I do not think of going just to transmit, rather how to share our faith with them. Because I think they will have more to pass on to me, that I to them. I can say this based on the experience of all the brothers who say the same thing: With age you realize that it’s not what you give, but what you receive. And this is the grace of God!

How did you prepare for Brazil?
I found and read several articles on the Internet or magazines: by just finding the place I would have a better understanding of reality. The media have their own rules and are not always giving clear information: one needs to know the person, their needs which is more important.

Published on 28/09/2012