October 2025

From July 16^th to August 8^th, provincials, vice-provincials, and other Dominicans from around the world gathered at Holy Trinity Convent in Kraków to participate in the General Chapter of the Order— the most important assembly of the Order of Preachers (OP.).

Before arriving in Poland, Fr. Christopher Fadok, OP., Provincial of the Western Province of the Dominican men in the US, visited our Dominican sisters, laity and friars in Ukraine. The Chapter also invited some of the Ukrainian Dominicans and associates who through music, song and storytelling explained how they are living the Beatitudes in the midst of war. Each participant at the Chapter received a book of their “Beatitude” stories. I have chosen two reflections, along with some of their background notes, to share with you.

Oleh sixty-two, is an author, media artist, director, published historian and a well-known Ukrainian cinematographer. He recalls the war in Ukraine began in February 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and started military operations in the eastern Ukraine. “I first heard the sound of war and saw its consequences with my own eyes in 2016. I was shooting one of my films in Mariupol and the front line was 20 kilometers (2.4 miles) from the city at the time.”

When Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24^th 2022, Oleh’s previous creative projects suddenly became irrelevant—even absurd.” Oleh’s wife, colleagues, and he began volunteering. By April 2022, the opportunity

to return to his profession appeared. With colleagues, he began filming a documentary on sites in Kyiv destroyed by Russian shelling. That short film was subsequently shown at European film festivals.

It was during the filming that Oleh first encountered a huge amount of his own and other people’s grief.

of heroism of our fellow citizens. In Ukraine there is a term for it- invincibility. It is a very important and true term because it describes not only the resilience and heroism of our military, many of whom were representatives of civil professions.

Oleh names other invincible and faithful servants: engineers, paramedics, public transportation drivers risk their lives in everyday emergencies. Cafe and shop owners open early in the morning after hours of night drone attacks. “When you suddenly hear the sound of a garbage truck amidst the buzzing of drones or explosions” you see and hear invincibility.

Life goes on, not only in everyday chores, but also in culture, as cinemas and theatres are open, and impressive exhibition projects are being launched. At times, hopelessness overwhelms, because it seems that the war has no ending. However, after another hard night of enemy attack, when you manage to get some sleep, you open your Facebook news feed and read that your friends are still trying to tell jokes. So, you also get to work or to your household chores or to volunteering; you go out to the city and see that your native Kyiv continues to live, stand and fight, despite the scars of war. You realize that hopelessness and despair are the biggest sins.

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” The beatitudes are not an “other” world system. They are to be lived now in this world. Matthew writes them in the present tense. To live them is to walk the path of integrity. As we look around our world and listen to the news it is easy to become discouraged. No wonder Jesus says, “Blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me” (Mt. 11:6). Sometimes we feel like Peter in the garden who wanted to raise his sword against the soldiers to protect Jesus. Yet, we know that is not Jesus’ way. “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword (Mt. 26:54).”

“Blessed are those who strive for peace and justice;
they shall be called the daughters and sons of God.”

In 2014 Liudmyla lunched “Art Expeditions,” a cultural project bringing artists, musicians, photographers and journalists from large cities into towns and villages. The trips help the artists learn about their native country through live communications with historians and local residence who joined the cultural events.

From 2014 to 2022 an exhibition, a concert, an outdoor event or a formal performance was held once a month. My initiative was joined by artists who understood the enormous importance of art for strengthening (the Ukrainian peoples’) cultural immunity in the face of the threat from the Russian Federation which has ceased to hide its intention to seize territory since 2014 and completely destroy the culture and people of Ukraine.

Liudmyla reminds us that even in times of great upheaval and war, she and her artists are seeking peace. “We bring peace to our communities, our families and our hearts. Art and music are some of the most important tools to find and encourage peace.” Artists worked with children in summer schools and painted murals. Many of these paintings were given to charity auctions. There were concert tours to small towns and villages with Ukrainian romance and violin music and art exhibits. There were events in shelters, schools and public squares. These are just some of the projects aimed at bringing emotional balance and resilience into the everyday life for the Ukrainian people suffering from the consequences of war. “We are and will continue to be on the side of light and we are still learning the lessons of resilience.”

“Blessed are those who strive for peace and justice; they shall be called the daughters and sons of God.” There are different ways to translate the seventh beatitude. I prefer this translation because becoming peace-filled people and peacemakers takes time. Transformation is a slow process like water wearing away stone. The word “strive” has always been a reassuring word for me because it speaks of an intention, a desire to do something. We don’t always act perfectly or complete a project without a flaw, but our good intentions and persistent actions matters. Each act of justice and nonviolence slowly wears away the stones of hardness that we find within ourselves and in our society.

Peacemaking requires study, prayer and careful analysis of the critical situations in our society, so we will understand what fosters and supports nonviolence. Yet, according to Jesus, seeing and hearing, studying and analyzing are not enough. Jesus calls us to respond. The water that shapes the stone works from within and from without. In other words, our prayer, discussions and analysis awaken in us a new consciousness so that we might become more effective peacemakers.

Special thanks to Mary Ellen Green and Maria Hetherton who have helped in editing this article. Also, special thanks to Bob McGrath who conscientiously mails SSH to you each month. Without Bob’s generosity this service would not be possible. Bob utilizes Constant Contact for mailing. If you wish to change your email address please send your new email address to Bob at robert.mcgrath@mgrc.com. Thank you.

"Stories Seldom Heard" is a monthly article written by Sister Patricia Bruno, OP. Sister is a Dominican Sister of San Rafael, California. This service is offered to the Christian Community to enrich one's personal and spiritual life. The articles can be used for individual or group reflection. If you would like "Stories Seldom Heard" sent to a friend, please send a note to Sister Patricia at brunoop2017@gmail.com.

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