How to Educate for Peace: Meeting of Dominican Sisters from Eastern and Central Europe
sr. Manes Puškarić, OP
From July 14th to 19th, 56 Dominican Sisters from Eastern and Central Europe gathered for a meeting on the island of Badija, in Dalmatia, Croatia. The workshop was hosted by the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Guardian Angels in Croatia
The theme of the gathering was “How to Educate for Peace.” With the help of speakers Sr. Ana Begić, OP, Fr. Riccardo Lufrani, OP, Sr. Mirjam Magary, OP, and Sr. Barbara Bagudić, OP, the sisters reflected on the following topics: the moral virtues of justice and peace, artificial intelligence and peace, peace in the Dominican tradition, and Blessed Ozana of Kotor and her contribution to peace.
As part of the meeting, the sisters visited the city of Dubrovnik, home to one of the oldest Dominican monasteries, founded in 1225. The monastery is still active today, housing Dominican friars and serving as a novitiate house.
In Dubrovnik, the sisters were welcomed by Bishop Roko Glasnović, who joined them in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and offered them a warm welcome and best wishes for their work. The sisters visited the Dominican convent in Korčula, founded in 1905, where 20 sisters are active in pastoral work.
Each day, the sisters reflected on how to contribute to and educate people for peace in today’s world. This is a truly challenging task. Encouragement was found in the lectures by our Dominican presenters, as well as in our workshops, where we explored questions such as how to live peace as individuals and as sisters, within our Dominican communities, and in the broader society in which we live.
