Discerning a spirituality for transformative mission: in dialogue with the Comboni Missionary Sisters
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Authors
Lepori, Laura
Issue Date
2019-01
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Mission , Spirituality , Encounter , Context analysis , Discernment , Reflexivity , MIssion spirituality , Ministeriality , Daniel Comboni , Comboni Missionary Sisters
Alternative Title
Abstract
This research seeks to acquire a deep understanding of how spirituality and
mission correlate and shape each other. An initial review of missiological texts has
revealed that spirituality is not often (nor explicitly) taken into consideration by
missiologists. Likewise, mission generally does not occupy a central place within the
academic discipline of spirituality. I contend that spirituality is the motor of mission and
missiology and therefore cannot be only briefly mentioned or omitted from
missiological discourse.
This thesis explores this relationship with a specific focus on the Comboni
Missionary Sisters. It explores the mission spirituality of their founder, Daniel
Comboni, how this is taken up by the Comboni Missionary Sisters and how it shapes
their lives and their being in mission. The research also aims to foster some
transformations. It explores new ways for the Sisters to express their ways of being in
mission in the context(s) in which they live, in order to be faithful to Comboni’s
charism as well as to be a relevant presence today.
The thesis proposes that mission spirituality be studied and lived by making use a
Mission spirituality spiral. Its six dimensions are: spirituality, at the centre and all along
the spiral; encounter with other(s) and with the context; context analysis; theological
reflection (encounter with Scripture and Tradition); discernment for transformative
ways of being in mission and reflexivity.
A qualitative analysis is presented from interviews conducted with fifteen
Comboni Missionary Sisters working in various continents. Genuine encounter with the
Triune God, with the other(s), with the context and its analysis, and encounter with
Scripture and Tradition lead to transformation in the person and subsequently to finding
new ways of being in mission.
The mission spirituality spiral is used as an analytical tool to study the mission
spirituality of Comboni and the Comboni Missionary Sisters and also as a mobilising
tool. Suggestions for further areas of research are made. The thesis concludes with some
personal learning and transformation.