The production of the March 2023 issue of ONE, “Faith on the Front Line,” coincided with the grim anniversary of the war on Ukraine.
One year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we had hoped to be writing about the end of the war and the process of rebuilding. Instead, the contributors assigned to this story dug in and spoke at length with Ukrainians in towns and cities across the country. They brought back powerful images and stories to reflect upon about how Ukrainians are “Finding God in Times of War.” Here, the church is present, they write, walking with those who suffer despite the ever-present dangers, shining the light of the Gospel in places of darkness.
However, we also find the church on the front line of many other types of battles in the world. In this issue, you will read about the commitment of the church in the face of corruption and economic collapse in Lebanon in “Sinking Deeper,” and the work of the church for justice for migrant workers in Jordan in “Far From Home.” A De La Salle Brother, in a “Letter From Eritrea,” writes how he and his community are recommitting to their work among the youth in the country, despite being forced to cede their successful agricultural school to the government.
Mary B. Cunningham shares how Eastern Christians throughout history have turned to the Mother of God for hope, solace and loving intercession in the midst of their battles — and continue to do so today — in her essay “Symbol or Saint?” The church on the front line has always had a faithful companion in the Virgin Mary.
Finally, in his regular column, “The Last Word,” Msgr. Peter Vaccari invites us to discover how God is present even in times of darkness and brokenness, even in the emergencies, natural and human made, covered in the pages of ONE.
We hope you will be inspired by the lives of those you will meet in this edition and be moved to support them in doing the work of bringing faith to the front line.
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