Insights from the Meeting on Internationality, December 2024
On 5 and 6 December 2024, a meeting was held to bring together confreres with international experience, aligning with the recommendations of the 36th General Chapter. This gathering aimed to deepen reflections on internationality as a shared opportunity and responsibility within the Congregation. Internationality is not merely a structural necessity but a fundamental approach to fostering unity within diversity. It enhances both personal and collective experiences by valuing cultural differences while strengthening the common mission. In light of contemporary challenges, such as declining vocations in the West and the digital expansion in Asia and Africa, internationality is increasingly viewed as a spirituality of communion. This concept is rooted in Rule of Life no. 8, which calls for a unified approach to mission.
To accommodate different time zones, the Zoom meeting was divided into two sessions, on 5 and 6 December, the first from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and the second from 8 am to 11 am, Rome time. Discussions extended beyond the planned duration due to the richness of exchanges. Attendance was generally satisfactory, despite a few absentees. The dialogue was structured around four key questions regarding the understanding, experiences, strengths, and practical applications of internationality within the Congregation.
Participants emphasized that internationality should be embraced as a culture of mission, requiring openness, collaboration, and mutual respect. It is seen as an opportunity for personal and communal enrichment, fostering a true sense of fraternity. Many confreres expressed satisfaction and pride in contributing to the mission across borders. However, challenges were noted, including lack of preparation before assignments, feelings of isolation in host communities, insufficient support from both home and host provinces, financial difficulties particularly concerning health care, and limited openness from certain host communities.
The strengths of internationality include cultural enrichment, language acquisition, the joy of shared mission, fraternal bonds, and strengthened spiritual and community life. However, weaknesses such as administrative and legal barriers, language and cultural integration challenges, misunderstandings, and experiences of discrimination or neglect were also highlighted. To strengthen internationality, several practical steps were proposed.
At the General Curia level, it is essential to define a clear and shared vision of internationality, establish policies for inter-provincial cooperation in finance, health, and sabbaticals, provide linguistic, cultural, and spiritual training for missionaries, organize regular visits to international communities, and promote inter-provincial exchanges to sustain communities.
At the Provincial and Regional levels, integrating internationality into formation from postulancy, clearly defining missionary roles and mission duration, offering continuous support to missionaries, and evaluating candidates’ preparation before their assignments were suggested.
At the Community level, fostering a welcoming and integrative environment, encouraging community bonding through shared prayer and social activities, and sensitizing members to embrace diversity and overcome biases are essential.
On an individual level, cultivating openness, adaptability, and investing in personal formation, particularly in foreign languages, were emphasized.
This meeting underscored internationality’s vital role in the Congregation’s mission. While there are notable successes, the challenges identified call for concrete solutions. Strengthened preparation, sustained support, and an openness to diversity are key to fully harnessing the potential of internationality.
The confreres expressed enthusiasm about internationality becoming a firmly established priority within the Congregation. They highlighted the need for a structured policy under the authority of the Superior General, ensuring that internationality is not left to individual provincial decisions. Moving forward, harmonizing existing experiences and fostering a unified approach will be essential to deepening the Congregation’s global mission.
Father Anaclet Bambala Mazina, sss
Vicar General
