28 november 2025

[EPISODE 7] – SISTER BUSHRA HANNA: “DOMUNI STRENGTHENED MY VOCATION AND MY SERVICE”

My Discovery of Domuni

My name is Sister Bushra Hanna, of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception. I work at Mar Youhanna Al Habib School, located in Baghdad, Iraq.

I discovered Domuni by chance while browsing Facebook. An advertisement posted by Sister Hanan caught my attention. She encouraged me, guided me through all the registration steps, and truly opened me to this new stage of my academic life. “Without her, I might never have dared to take the step.”

A Demanding Program That Deeply Enriched Me

What impressed me most at Domuni was the ease of communication and the quality of support: the dean, department heads, professors… all accompanied us with seriousness and kindness.

I was impressed by the competence of the teachers, their specialization, and their recognition within the Church. The courses were fascinating, especially those in pastoral theology, directly related to my work: Christian education, school management, accompaniment of youth, and choir direction.

Distance learning was not easy—particularly the lack of resources in Arabic…

but this difficulty pushed me to persevere.

My Thesis: Leadership as Vocation and Service

For my master’s, I chose a theme essential for today’s Church: leadership as vocation, calling, and service.

I studied leadership in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament through the example of Jesus. I then approached the subject through papal letters, the letters of Saint Paul, and in light of the teaching of the councils. Finally, I organized my reflection into three chapters—the last chapter focused specifically on leadership from a pastoral perspective.

I then applied these conclusions to pastoral leadership: Christian education, family life, and work with youth. I also proposed some practical reflections for my current responsibilities in the Church, emphasizing that leadership must always be traced back to its primary source: God, the first guide of our lives.

Writing the thesis was an intense period, full of stress and very short nights, but also one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

Obtaining my master’s was a tremendous achievement.

Skills in Service of My Mission

This training gave me personal, psychological, and spiritual skills that complement my background in philosophy and theology.

They help me every day in:
– my educational mission in a religiously diverse society;
– my pastoral engagement with youth and families;
– the way I exercise leadership with humility and service;
– balancing my spiritual life with the needs of those I serve.

I am also studying at the Open University, and if God gives me strength and health, I would like to continue my studies and obtain my doctorate.

My Message to Young People: “Don’t Be Afraid!”

I highly recommend Domuni to all young people, men and women, passionate about learning and eager to grow.

Yes, distance learning requires time and effort. But if you keep your goal in mind, if you have faith in God and confidence in yourself, you will overcome difficulties and achieve your dreams.

“Enroll at Domuni University and you will take the first step, and God will be with you. He will help you with everything.”