Bled (Slovenia). On 17-18 January 2026, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Slovenian-Croatian Maria Help of Christians Province (SLC) met in Bled, Slovenia, to participate in the formation meeting on the topic: “Growing Together in Interculturality”, held by Sister Enrica Ottone, FMA, professor at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” in Rome.
The theme arises from the desire to live a deep and authentic communion in two different cultural contexts. The challenge is not only to live in two different Countries – Slovenia and Croatia – but also to speak two different main languages and have different histories and cultures. The Province has therefore chosen to walk the journey from multiculturalism to interculturality.
Following the aim of the Province plan, which calls for first-hand involvement in formation –at any age, in every context and in every culture – Sister Enrica was invited as a facilitator of this process. She had worked with a group of 42 FMAs from the Communities, including the Provincial, Sister Mateja Kranjc, a missionary from Brazil, and the Novices of the 2nd year at Novitiate of Castel Gandolfo who had returned from their apostolic experience.
The account of the participants:
“During lessons, lively workshops, and pleasant chats during breaks and meals, we felt an authentic connection in the Salesian family spirit. We deepened mutual understanding, which allows us to appreciate even more the richness of our diversity and discover new opportunities for greater generativity. We also talked about the significant cultural differences between generations.
On this journey, we have not limited ourselves to focusing on the words culture, multiculturalism, and interculturalism, but have had the living experience that the multicultural reality is already present in our personal history and in community life, precisely in our understanding of each other’s differences. From this awareness arises the call to live fraternity and sharing in a deeper and daily way.
The formative meeting reached its climax in the Eucharistic Celebration.
We took as a prophetic sign and a calling the fact that our meeting took place right at the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. By singing ‘O Powerful Virgin Mary’, we have entrusted ourselves to Her, who is our guide. We are convinced that under her mantle we will continue fruitfully our journey of interculturality.”
