Bearers of Peace: Praying and Serving Amid War: July 25, 2025

Bearers of Peace. “The main question that has occupied my heart since the beginning of the full-scale war is: What should I do?” All of these can only be overcome by Peace. And peace will prevail, when each person becomes a peace bearer. World peace may seem like a utopia, when we look at what is happening today, or the entire history of mankind – starting with Cain and Abel.But peace in my heart – it is available. Peace with those who are ready to receive it – is possible. Communities of peace – are possible.

Table of Contents

Bearers of Peace: Praying and Serving Amid War

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Dear brothers and sisters!
I come from a country where the war has been going on for many years and there is no end in sight. This war affects many nations, so praying together for peace, when representatives of the Order from all over the world gathered here, – is of great importance.

I thank you for the invitation. I stand here trusting in God’s providence and mercy – believing that God wants to bring peace – through us, through our prayers.

The main question that has occupied my heart since the beginning of the full-scale war is:

What should I do?
In a time of war,
in a time of suffering,
in a time of loss and violence,
when there is no end in sight to this nightmare,
when it seems that everything has conspired to keep the war going….

What should be done to build peace?
What should be done to bring peace closer?
Lord, what should I do?

as a human being,
as a citizen,
as a disciple of Jesus,
as a priest,
as a bishop.

The Holy Spirit constantly reminds me:
that first and foremost – I myself must be deeply immersed in the peace of Jesus Christ.
This is my first task.
And when I abide in His peace –
then I will see more clearly whom and how I should help, whom I should serve.

Because if there is no peace of Christ in my heart,
then I will be driven by fear…
It can be put simply – there are two basic states of man:

Peace
and Fear.

If there is no peace – there is fear.
Fear is the lack of peace in a person’s heart.

The cause of fear is a wounded heart.
Initially, fear leads to isolation and survival.
But over time, if this heart is not healed –
and when there is an opportunity to come out of isolation –
this can lead to hurting others,
to lust – and it becomes a source of wars.

Violence.
War.
Hurting.
Fear.

All of these can only be overcome by Peace.

And peace will prevail,
when each person becomes a peace bearer.
World peace may seem like a utopia,
when we look at what is happening today,
or the entire history of mankind – starting with Cain and Abel.
But peace in my heart – it is available.
Peace with those who are ready to receive it – is possible.
Communities of peace – are possible.

Dear Brothers!
I am very happy to be here with you today –
in this place where for many years I lived, prayed
and learned to live the charism of St. Dominic.
Thank you for every prayer
and for all the help that you and your communities have shown for peace in Ukraine.
I ask the Spirit of the Risen Christ,
to now firmly fill us with His Peace
and that in this spirit we ask for peace for Ukraine, for all places where wars are raging, and for the conversion of those who are possessed by the spirit of war.
I ask you: let us not cease to pray for peace.
Let us be the bearers of peace!

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update. You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.