A MESSAGE IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE LOCAL CULTURE (C7)

Posted on September 18, 2025 by franksantucci

We have as our goal to establish Christian communities and Churches deeply rooted in the local culture and fully responsible for their own development and growth. (Constitution 7)

While Eugene and the early missionaries did not have the background of modern studies in sociology, anthropology, inculturation etc, they nevertheless had a profound love for the people they were sent to. They tried to adapt their message using local customs. From the beginning Eugene founded his Missionary family specifically to preach in the local Provencal language. He went along with local customs even if he himself was not always  convinced of them, but he realized their importance for the people.

Over the years many Oblates, as part of their missionary work, have produced grammars and dictionaries for various Indigenous languages. They were pioneers in studying and documenting these languages, often putting the spoken word into writing, compiling dictionaries, and translations of religious texts.

Father Lacombe’s ladder of salvation is just one example of conveying his message through the expressions of the local culture (see:https://www.marquette.edu/library/archives/News/spotlight/01-2009.php).

Today the newest challenge is to evangelize by entering into the “local culture” of social media and artificial intelligence.

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One Response to A MESSAGE IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE LOCAL CULTURE (C7)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    September 18, 2025 at 14:23

    It would seem that it is not just the words that we use, but it is also the sense that is conveyed to us. This is where the Spirit comes in as she holds the pen that we write with, or in the case of technology how we share with each other not only in our words and senses but through the technology of the internet.

    Since COVID I have learned how (for the most part) to use Zoom to connect with people around the world, taking part in the formation process for Oblate Associates, getting to know friends and to pray with them. However I am sent out- be it to my parish, the Church or to Eugene’s sons and daughters around the world. Technology allows my Oblate Family in Czechia to share their focus for Oraison with me and so then with some of the Oblate Associates here in North America.

    I love what St. Eugene de Mazenod wrote in 1818: it is titled “Simplicity in Preaching”.

    To aim at elegance of style
    rather than to solidity of doctrine
    would go directly counter to the spirit of our Rule …
    Our one and only aim should be
    to instruct people …
    not only to break
    the bread of the Word for them
    but to chew it for them as well;
    in a word, to insure
    that when our discourses are over,
    they are not tempted to heap foolish praise
    on what they have not understood,
    but, instead,
    that they go back home
    edified, touched, instructed,
    able to repeat in their own family circle
    what they have learned from our mouth.
    – 1818 –

    Reply

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