Cultural Diversity in Formation

With the beginning of a new academic year, it is clear once again that in our United States houses of formation, cultural diversity is noticeable and challenging.  Within our programs, there are currently 33 young Oblates and candidates for Oblate life.  While the official language of formation in the United States Province is English, nevertheless, Spanish is the mother tongue of the majority.  In some formation communities, only the formators themselves spoke English in their parents’ homes.  A variety of other languages was spoken by the candidates themselves and their families:

*Several languages are used in Zambia.

 As far as place of birth is concerned, the numbers are somewhat different:

The last two meetings of the General Formation Committee (2001, 2003) have focused a good deal of discussion and energy around the issue of the international character of the Oblate Congregation.  The General Administration has encouraged cross-cultural experiences for persons in formation.  It would seem that in some ways, our own programs are affording these experiences without even going out the front door!  We are working toward the fulfillment of a challenge from the last General Chapter: “to learn at the level of formation, to love our own culture, without making it exclusive, and at the same time to open ourselves to other cultures and languages.”

Furthermore, at the last meeting of the General Formation Committee (February 2003), the following was proposed to the Superior General and General Council as a policy for the congregation: In order to enhance communication among all Oblates and to highlight the international character of the our Congregation, the committee proposes that the Superior General and his Council consider a formation policy that would require that each one in post-novitiate formation work toward achieving adequate skills in at least one language other than the one with which he usually functions.  This should be one of the principal languages of the Oblate Congregation: English, French and Spanish.

Our own province policy requires candidates whose principal language is Spanish to learn English.  Those whose principal language is English are required to learn Spanish.  The aim, of course, is that all of our future Oblates will enter ministry able to serve the diverse cultures we find in our priority ministries.