We Would Love
to Keep in Touch!
Jesus seen sitting in an
Indian lotus position
Inculturation of the gospel is both a marvelous process and an urgent need. In the Synod of African Bishops in 1995, they recalled Pope John Paul II’s definition of inculturation as being the process by which: “catechesis ‘takes flesh’ in the various cultures. (Ecclesia in Africa, 59)” This is similar to “the sublime mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, a mystery which took place in history: in clearly defined circumstances of time and space, amidst a people with its own culture, a people that God had chosen and accompanied throughout the entire history of salvation, in order to show through what he did for them what he intended to do for the whole human race… the Word of Jesus Christ proclaimed to the nations, must take root in the life-situation of the hearers of the Word. Inculturation is precisely this insertion of the Gospel message into cultures. (Ecclesia in Africa, 60)”
 
One life-giving aspect of the process of “inculturation” in missiology is that it gives us a process by which the light of Scripture helps uncover elements within any culture that are consonant with the Gospel. Then, building on those elements, it helps root the Gospel message more deeply in the life of that culture. As Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, we use that same methodology when entering into a new culture. We put our charism of Reconciliation at the service of that same Gospel, but within this new cultural context. 
 
The biblical story of Emmaus
as seen by Indian culture
At La Salette, after giving the two children her message – one that resounds throughout with Gospel values  –  Mary sent them out with a mandate: “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people.” It is no wonder that the Missionaries and Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette continue to seek new ways and places where we can witness to the Gospel and the La Salette Event of 1846. Our growing missionary spirit attests to that zeal.
 
Our “Asian Outreach” program, begun in our Congregation by the Filipino Province in 1937, matured to a new level when the Region of India was formed and later when this Region became a Province in 2001. 
 
A modern Burmese
Madonna and Child
Looming on the horizon are other fields for our ministry, not the least of which is Myanmar (previously known as Burma).  Even though we were chased from there in 1976 after 40 years of missionary activity, strong relationships have remained. Our return to that country in November of 2005 was a joyous event, not only for us as Missionaries but also for the people we served, some of whom were still alive. They welcomed us back warmly. Obviously, in November of 2012, the 75th anniversary of our arriving in Burma will be celebrated with much joy by us and the people we serve.
 
The tales of the heroism and sacrifices of the original La Salette Missionaries who first went to Burma encourage the younger native La Salette priests and seminarians. With them, we thank God for the blessings of the past, for the vocation of our new native Burmese seminarians, and for all those who have answered the call to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. (Mt 16:25)”
 
1937: Bishop McAuliffe of Harford, CT, bids farewell to the first group of La Salette
Missionaries departing for Burma: (L to R) Frs. Sullivan, LaBonté, Wesclak,
Gardiner and Newman