An Intercongregational Class on Interculturality was organized at our Novitiate, Shradhaseri, from 20–22 August. A total of 26 novices from four Congregations participated in this seminar. The resource person was the well-versed and experienced Fr. Dr. Michael, SVD.
Fr. Michael reminded us that “every culture is a world in itself.” Each culture has its own richness, values, traditions, strengths, and ways of expressing life. At the same time, no culture is perfect; every culture has areas that need growth and transformation. Such transformation, he emphasized, begins with oneself. Instead of expecting others to change, we are invited to look within ourselves, recognize our limitations, and remain open to learning and transformation.
He drew our attention to religious communities, where members from different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and life experiences live together. Genuine interculturality requires self-awareness, appreciation of the common values that unite us, and a willingness to share and contribute the goodness we have inherited from our respective cultures. Intercultural living does not mean giving up our identity; rather, it means enriching one another through mutual acceptance, understanding, respect, and openness.
Fr. Michael also highlighted the threefold purpose of religious life: to build a home, to become a witnessing community, and to be mission-oriented religious persons. Our communities are called to be places where every sister feels welcomed, accepted, supported, and valued. At the same time, our common life should bear witness to the Gospel and prepare us to serve others with love.
The sessions helped us understand that accepting and adapting to one another’s cultures can lead to a new, faith-filled, and vibrant intercultural religious community. These three days were enriching and thought-provoking, deepening our appreciation of cultural diversity and its significance in religious life.
As novices, we are encouraged to become more self-aware, open-hearted, adaptable, and willing to learn from one another. Above all, we were reminded that interculturality begins with each one of us and grows through respect, understanding, acceptance, collaboration, and love.
Novices Lainya and Flevina
