Introduction

We Springfield Dominicans have taken on as a General Chapter commitment the goal of learning to be more intentionally intercultural in the way we live our religious life.

About our guests

Brothers Alfred Lungu, Edwin Silwimba, Eliakim Mbenda, and Michael Katona are student brothers who belong to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a global missionary order committed to the witness of living interculturally. Alfred and Edwin are from Zambia, Eliakim is from Namibia, and Michael from the USA, most recently, Texas. 

They will make their first profession of vows on August 1, then move on to new settings for study and ministry from their current home in Tewksbury, Mass. 

Our host

Throughout more than 60 years of consecrated Dominican life Sister Rose Miriam Schulte has lived a tapestry of ministries. From an elementary school teacher to principal to the prioress general of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. From licensed child and family therapist, to community facilitator for members of religious congregations. It is that most recent role, in which she still serves, which brings her to flowcast today. 

Takeaways

• Interculturality is, according to Brother Alfred, to “live for otherness,” to live intentionally, and to live for mission 

• Multicultural and intercultural are not the same. Multiculturalism is a world settling for tolerance. Interculturality has the end goal of the reign of God. 

• A quote from Oblate founder St. Eugene De Mazenod: We must lead people to act like human beings, first of all, and then like Christians and, finally, we must help them to become saints. 

More to Explore 

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate 

Living Mission Interculturally. A podcast with Anthony J. Gittins. 

Laudato Si’ On Care of our Common Home, paragraph 85 

Interculturality: Learnings and Challenges, Fr. Robert Schroeder, SVD