On February 5, 2022, the friars of the Provincial Delegation in Burkina Faso blessed the St. Maximilian Kolbe Hospital in Sabou, Burkina Faso. The hospital is managed by the friars. The Delegation belongs to both the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw) and the Province of St. Bernardine and St. Angelo in Italy (Abruzzo-Molise).

Those present at the event included Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI, the Vicar General; Friar Anthony Bezo KUTIERO, the Assistant General for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF); Friar Grzegorz BARTOSIK, the Minister Provincial of Warsaw; Friar Damian KARCZMAR, the Provincial Econom of Warsaw; Friar Lorenzo VALENTINI of the Province of Abruzzo-Molise; Friar Emmanuel MULENGA of the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia (currently conducting a missionary experience in Burkina Faso); Friar Dariusz MAZUREK, the Delegate General for Mission Animation, the friars of the Delegation and the administrators of the hospital.
Sabou is located in the Diocese of Koudougou, about 90 km [56 mi.] from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The Conventuals have been present in Sabou since 2001. One of their activities is providing social services through the St. Maximilian Kolbe Hospital. Back in 2009, the hospital was under the direction of Friar Tomasz KRĘT. Due to his dedication and commitment, the hospital was able to expand its infrastructure and medical treatment possibilities. The current director is Friar Joseph KADSONDO.
Today, the hospital serves a population of approximately 112,000. Back in 2015, the hospital was in need of an operating room. The friars set out to remedy this gap, and with the help of the Italian Bishops’ Conference they completed the work. At the same time, the post-operative departments were built with the support of Caritas Antoniana.
Because of these efforts, the hospital is now able to provide more comprehensive medical care for the various needs of the people.

Friar Dariusz MAZUREK, Delegate General for Mission Animation