An ancient Japanese tradition promises that a person who folds 1,000 cranes will be granted a wish, such as long life or recovery from illness. Recently, Regina Dominican has joined the 1,000 Cranes Project to support women and children in the Middle East facing persecution. These people need our prayers now more than ever, and thanks to the hard work and inspiration of Sister Jean, we are able to send our love and support to those who are thousands or miles away from Wilmette.

As most of us already know, Regina has joined the project in order to send prayer and good intentions to the  Internally Displaced Persons of Iraqi Dominicans (IDP). The Dominican Sisters of Iraq, along with those of many other faiths, have recently faced religious persecution by Islamic extremists. According to Sister Jean,

“lots of Christians, Muslims, and those of other religious affiliations have been required to join radical religions, leave, or die.”

Anyone who identifies with IDP is an individual who has been forced to leave his or her home, but remains within their country’s borders. IDPs are often considered refugees, but technically do not fall under the legal definition of a refugee since they have not left their country. However, just because they are not refugees by the standard definition does not mean their life is any easier. In fact, IDPs may be up to 500 miles away from home.

Regina Dominican is keeping in touch with the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. Over 17 months ago, these women left their home in Qaraqosh, Iraq which had been seized by the militant Islamic group ISIS. Christians in Qaragosh were told if they wished to stay alive, they had three choices. They must evacuate, pay a tribute to ISIS, or convert to Islam. However, the 500,000 Christians in Qaragosh and surrounding cities were not leaving without a fight.

At first, the Dominican Sisters stood their ground in Iraq and refused to leave the convents, hospitals, and schools they had established. However, after bombings and other serious threats they had no choice but to flee and find safety in dilapidated malls, tents on the street, or other dangerous and hazardous living spaces. It is important for us Reginites to remember that practicing our religion where we live is more than encouraged, but at the same time in other places around the world, humans are losing their lives for the rights we sometimes take for granted.

When Dominican Sisters around the world came to the Middle East offering food, medical attention, and other forms of help, they noticed strings of cranes hanging all over. They were hung for prayer and peace, and as we and make cranes around Regina, it is our job to pray for the Dominican Sisters of Iraq, along with any other religion under persecution. It may seem like a prayer will not change the condition they are in, but good intentions can travel very far.

Dominican Sisters around the world are working on the 1,000 cranes project in many different form. One sister, Sister Barbara, is hand painting cranes and selling her portraits. Every penny of the profit made goes directly to Iraq. We can see one of these portraits outside of our Chapel at school.

Another sister is taking photographs of live cranes and selling the pictures for money to give towards relief. Everyone in the Dominican family is encouraged to help in any way possible.

Although Regina cannot ask for each student to buy a 100 dollar painting, they can ask for our prayers for the ones who don’t even have the opportunity to believe in their God.