Formators of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR) Congregation have been challenged to move from multi-culturality to inter-culturality, which is an inherent blessing to the International Congregation to enhance effective Formation.
The wake-up call was made by Sr. Chinyeaka Ezeani, MSHR, in the July 3, 2026 Talk on Inter-culturality in Formation, delivered to the Congregation’s Formators during their meeting at the Retreat and Conference Centre, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Sr. Ezeani is the Vice Postulator (Dublin Enquiry) for the Cause of the Canonization of Bishop Joseph Shanahan, CSSp, Servant of God, Founder of MSHR, living in Ireland.
She was assisted in the talk by Sr. Catherine Asomugha, MSHR (Vice Postulator for the same Course (Onitsha Enquiry).
Sr. Chinyeaka made a clear distinction between Multi-culturality, which is the presence of diverse cultures in a given situation; each one taken as unique and different, though with no deliberate effort to come together, and Inter-culturality, which aims at unity, mutual respect and acceptance – as equals.
With Inter-culturality, she added, there is a deliberate effort to come together and integrate every culture present into oneness of mutual respect and acceptance.
Underpinning the fact that Sisters living together in the same community or congregation, from different cultures did not automatically make that community intercultural, the Nigerian-born missionary buttressed the need for the Sisters in the Formation ministry to embrace Inter-culturality.
She stated that it is at the heart of the Gospel message and goes beyond multi-culturality.
To Sr. Ezeani, living inter-culturally, especially in an international Congregation like MSHR, is an expression of a Gospel value (that all may be one), an expression of the Mission of Christ, witnessing to the world, as well as an opportunity for widening horizons, a path for healing and reconciliation, a source of mutual enrichment and personal transformation.
The speaker further outlined some challenges to Inter-cultural living, including human ambivalence with regards to interpersonal relationships, Self-centredness, Struggle between the actual self and the ideal self and tribalism.
She also mentioned domination, inadequate degree of self-awareness, Poor self-esteem and negative sense of self, Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination, Learnings picked up from family and society, Unresolved past negative experiences, among others.
She enlisted some key factors that could help build authentic Inter-cultural communities. These include: Empathy, Inclusivity and Consideration of every sister, Self-acceptance and Self-esteem, Willingness to dialogue and discuss matters related to inter-cultural challenges (before they get out of hands), Self-awareness (of one’s personal prejudices and struggles), Study and continued education – openness and willingness to keep learning.
Others are: Intercultural sensitivity and awareness in both initial and ongoing formation, Discernment of Vocations, Community of Prayer and Gospel Values, and Consistent trust in God.
The Vice Postulator stressed on forgiveness as a powerful tool, alluding to the words of the Founder of MSHR: “…In all circumstances be loyal, faithful, charitable, forgiving. In life there will always be misunderstandings. We are all human. We hurt each other by mere nothings.”
“But, no matter what happens: always forgive; always forgive. That is the Christ-like thing… Betrayal of friendship is hard to bear; or coldness or indifference or infidelity from those we have loved and trusted. But we must always forgive as Christ forgives” she quoted Bishop Shanahan when he addressed a message to MSHR in 1938.
She posed some Soul-searching questions to the Formators: What legacy do you want to leave for the Congregation? How would you love to be remembered: as one who facilitated disunity in the Congregation or as one who worked actively for unity in the Congregation?
There was sharing in small groups by the Formators on the topic, and insights further shared in the larger group.
Present during the Talk was the Congregational Leadership Team from the Generalate in Ireland, and Regional Leaders from various Countries with MSHR presence.
Some Formators who could not be present in-person, joined the talk virtually.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana CASCON-GH)
