Society
Of The Divine Word

The gathering, attended by over 70 participants, aimed to deepen understanding and foster intercultural living within the Arnoldus Family.

The seminar was spearheaded by Fr. Emmanuel Varghese, SVD, and Sr. Vimala, SSpS, both AJS coordinators of the province, in collaboration with Fr. Felix, SVD, the Mission Secretary of the Indian Central Province (INC). The program began with a prayer service led by Sr. Rani, SSpS, and Sr. Josepha, SSpS, setting a reflective and spiritual tone for the discussions that followed.

The highlight of the seminar was the keynote address by Fr. Dr. S. M. Michael, SVD, a distinguished anthropologist and sociologist. He explored the significance of interculturality in today’s rapidly globalizing world, emphasizing that cultural diversity, migration, and urbanization pose both challenges and opportunities for mission work.

Fr. Michael urged participants to move beyond monocultural perspectives and embrace a multicultural mindset that fosters unity rather than division.

He introduced a new SVD-SSpS interculturality model, shifting individuals from a “destroyer” mentality to a “creator” approach, where cultural encounters become avenues for mutual growth.

His presentation outlined three essential pillars of religious life in an intercultural setting:

1. Witnessing Community – Living as a testimony of faith and unity in diversity.
2. Making a Home – Creating an environment where different cultures are welcomed, respected, and celebrated.
3. Being on Mission – Engaging deeply with diverse cultures, allowing them to shape and enhance the missionary experience.

He underscored that when cultures interact, they should give rise to a new culture—one that builds bridges rather than barriers.