March 9 was a very absorbing day for me here in Homs, Syria.

I was in this city since early morning. It has been bombed, battered and bruised by this civil war. An eerie feeling as one goes around in a war-torn city.

Listening to the pain and suffering that people have gone through and are still going through – makes one realize that even if the war stops now- the real healing will take a long ,long time…

Thousands have just abandoned their homes and have gone away- many here were killed.

In the midst of the hate, strife, suffering,…I had a very special meeting with some youth of the area late that evening .at this Jesuit Centre here in Boustan-Diwan (the inner city of Homs).

All of them speak of and fondly remember ONE MAN : Fr Frans van der Lugt, a Jesuit who was assassinated here in this residence in on April 7, 2014 by terrorists. He was 75.

These youth very vividly remember his message of love: justice, reconciliation and peace for all! For all who came in contact with him remember for his selfless service. They are determined to continue living his message in very concrete ways.

When everybody was fleeing from Homs – Frans refused to go away from this Centre. He wanted to be in the midst of those who had nowhere to go.

Frans is today regarded as a saint by Muslims and Christians alike because he spent all his life promoting justice, reconciliation and peace and particularly, Christ’s message of love.

In 2012 at the start of this civil war he sheltered more than 2,000 Muslims in this Centre

On March 9 morning I spent a long time at his grave praying that his martyrdom will not go in vain.

It was a great privilege for me to spend the night in the very place where Frans lived and ultimately gave his life for a greater good

Hopefully I will write a longer article on Fr Frans in a few days time- based on the much I have experienced and heard today!

Pray for us Fr Frans!

From Syria with love

(Fr. Cedric Prakash is the Regional Advocacy & Communications Officer of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Middle East & North Africa(MENA)Region, Beirut, Lebanon.)