Sr. Adriana Milmanda, SSpS, guided the assembly through a deep exploration of interculturality, framing it as essential to our life and mission. She began by grounding the topic in our identity as a prophetic sign, which demands personal cost in announcing, denouncing, and renouncing.
The core of the journey defined interculturality not merely as coexistence, but as a profound process of inserting oneself into another culture to live the Gospel from within, through dialogue, respect, and reciprocity. Participants formulated their own definitions, consistently naming interculturality as a dynamic process of change that impacts both community life and our external relationships. This process, it was acknowledged, opens new horizons and challenges for the Congregation, the Church, and the world.
The focus then shifted to holistic formation for this reality. Drawing on the work of Mark Weber, SVD, the sisters reflected on the five dimensions of formation—intellectual, human, spiritual, community, and apostolic. Key qualities for this journey were emphasized: sensitivity, openness, flexibility, maturity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The sisters recognized their communities as “intercultural laboratories” that must move beyond food and folklore to foster genuine intercultural sensitivity and ongoing conversion.
Cultural differences were explored as both potential treasures and barriers. Through interactive exercises, including a living continuum on communication styles (from emotive to rational), the sisters discovered the strength in diversity. They concluded that a community is far richer when it honors varied communication styles rather than forcing a single norm. The vital challenge, they affirmed, is to find the right balance and create community agreements that allow everyone to reap the benefits of a truly intercultural life.
