DISCERNING A SPIRITUALITY FOR TRANSFORMATIVE MISSION: IN DIALOGUE WITH THE COMBONI MISSIONARY SISTERS by LAURA LEPORI submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY in the subject of MISSIOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: DR. MAGDALENE KARECKI CO-SUPERVISOR: PROF. JNJ KRITZINGER JANUARY 2019 ii Summary 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. Key words: mission, spirituality, encounter, context analysis, discernment, reflexivity, mission spirituality, ministeriality, Daniel Comboni, Comboni Missionary Sisters. iii iv Dedication I wish to dedicate this thesis to the all Comboni Missionary Sisters, who in different ways and contexts commit themselves to keep the charism of Daniel Comboni alive, and in his footsteps, live his mission spirituality in a feminine way. I also dedicate this thesis to all those who wish to embark on mission and missiology with the desire to discern a spirituality that leads to transformative ways of being in mission. V vi Acknowledgements I am grateful for the support of my supervisor and co-supervisor, for the trust they gave me, especially in the times of discouragement and difficulty. I am also grateful to the UNISA library staff for their precious help. I thank David Tutty for the fruitful discussions we had and the support he granted me. A special word of thanks goes to Fr. Francesco Pierli, who believed in the importance of this thesis for the Comboni Family. Thank you for your encouragement and support. I thank a number of Comboni Missionary Sisters, who in various ways supported and encouraged me in this journey, and in particular: Sr. Enza Carini, Sr. Tsehaitu Hagos, Sr. Luisella Musazzi, Sr. Anne Marie Quigg. I am grateful to the fifteen Comboni Sisters, who accepted to be interviewed by me and therefore, made part of this thesis possible. Listening to them during the interviews and later when I analysed them, I felt being on “holy ground.” They have been a gift to me. A special word of thanks goes to my mother, who in her more frail years would have liked to have me closer to her. However, understanding the importance of this thesis, she accompanied me in her prayers. I also thank my brother, my sister-in-law, and their children for being close to my mother and for encouraging me from a distance. Finally, I am grateful to those, who in one way or other journeyed with me and supported me in these years: Annalisa Grimoldi, Pina Colombo, Dcn. Tshepiso Matle, Sr. Irene Kalvelage, Mantutu Mabasa, Refilwe Matatiele. vii viii Declaration of Originality I declare that Discerning a Spirituality for Transformative Mission: in Dialogue with the Comboni Missionary Sisters is my own work and that all sources that I have used and quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. I further declare that I have not previously submitted this work, or part of it, for examination at UNISA for another qualification or at any other higher education institution. Signed Date ix x Table of Contents Chapter One Mission and spirituality: Introducing the question 1 1.1 Introduction and identification of fundamental questions 1 1.2 Theoretical framework 3 1.3 Teleology 3 1.4 Ontology 4 1.5 Epistemology 5 1.6 The Research design 7 1.7 Research methodology 9 1.7.1 Sampling 11 1.7.2 Interviews 11 1.7.3 Data analysis 13 1.8 Ethical considerations 14 1.8.1 Personal stance 14 1.8.2 Other ethical considerations 15 1.9 Literature review 16 1.9.1 Missiological publications 16 1.9.2 Spirituality publications 23 1.10 Special terminology 27 1.10.1 Religious congregation 27 1.10.2 Charism 29 1.10.3 Discernment 30 1.10.4 Transformative Encounter 32 1.10.5 Praxis 33 1.10.6 Contemplation and mysticism 34 1.10.7 Ministeriality 36 1.11 Overview of the following chapters 36 xi Chapter Two Developing a framework to discern a relevant mission spirituality 39 2.1 Introduction 39 2.2 Approaching mission 40 2.2.1 Mission as … 41 2.2.1.1 Mission as prophecy 41 2.2.1.2 Mission as prophetic dialogue 42 2.2.1.3 Mission as reconciliation 43 2.2.1.4 Mission as testifying 44 2.2.1.5 Mission as invitation 44 2.2.1.6 Mission as liberation and “option for the poor” 44 2.2.1.7 Mission as care for the earth 46 2.2.1.8 Mission as missio inter gentes 48 2.2.1.9 Mission as missio Dei 49 2.2.2 Has missio Dei come to an end? 51 2.2.3 Mission: Working definition 54 2.3 Approaching spirituality 56 2.3.1 Spirituality in history 57 2.3.2 Spirituality today 58 2.3.3 Spirituality or spiritualities? 60 2.3.4 Religious spirituality versus (or and) secular spirituality? 60 2.3.5 How is Christian spirituality defined? 62 2.3.6 Experience in Christian Spirituality 65 2.3.7 Spirituality and Eucharist 67 2.3.8 Spirituality and natural science 68 2.3.9 Christian spirituality: Working definition 70 2.3.10 Interspirituality: The link to missiology 72 2.4 Mission spirituality 73 2.4.1 Mission spirituality on a spiral path 73 2.4.1.1 An “old and new” tool: The mission spirituality spiral 74 2.4.1.2 Why a spiral? 74 2.4.2 The dimensions of the spiral 75 2.4.2.1 Spirituality 75 xii 2.4.2.2 Encounter 76 2.4.2.3 Context analysis 78 2.4.2.4 Theological reflection 79 2.4.2.5 Discernment for transformative ways of being in mission 80 2.4.2.6 Reflexivity 81 2.5 Concluding comments 81 Chapter Three The life and mission spirituality of Daniel Comboni 83 3.1 Introduction 83 3.2 Comboni’s background 84 3.2.1 Historical context 84 3.2.2 Ecclesial context 85 3.2.3 Mission Renaissance 85 3.2.4 The mission struggle against slavery in Africa 87 3.3 Comboni’s life 90 3.3.1 Early life 90 3.3.2 Vocation 90 3.3.2.1 Vocation to priesthood develops at Mazza Institute 90 3.3.2.2 Vocation and commitment to Africa 91 3.3.3 Comboni’s African journeys 94 3.3.4 Comboni’s European journeys 95 3.3.5 The charismatic experience in 1864 97 3.3.6 The Plan for the regeneration of Africa 99 3.3.6.1 The first manuscript and various editions 99 3.3.6.2 The originality of the Plan 102 3.3.7 The Postulatum 106 3.3.8 Founder 109 3.4 Comboni’s mission spirituality 111 3.4.1 The Rules of Comboni’s Institute (1871) 111 3.4.2 The Sacred Heart of Jesus 117 3.4.3 The Good Shepherd 122 3.4.4 The Cross 123 xiii 3.4.5 Spirit of sacrifice 126 3.5 Comboni and the mission spirituality spiral 127 3.5.1 Spirituality 127 3.5.2 Encounter with Africa and Africans 128 3.5.3 Context analysis 129 3.5.4 Theological reflection 130 3.5.5 Discernment for transformative ways of being in mission 131 3.5.6 Reflexivity 132 3.6 Concluding comments 134 Chapter Four Women for mission in Central Africa: The mission spirituality of the Comboni Missionary Sisters 135 4.1 Introduction 135 4.2 The relevance of the Catholic woman 135 4.2.1 Women in mission 136 4.2.2 African women as protagonists of mission 137 4.3 Comboni’s option for missionary Sisters for Africa 137 4.3.1 Women of the Gospel 139 4.3.2 Characteristics of the missionary Sister according to Comboni 140 4.3.2.1 Spirit of sacrifice 140 4.3.2.2 Holy and capable 143 4.3.2.3 Cenacle of Apostles 144 4.3.2.4 Discernment 145 4.4 The Pie Madri della Nigrizia (Devout Mothers of Nigrizia – Comboni 145 Missionary Sisters) 4.4.1 Foundation 145 4.4.2 The Rules for the Institute 147 4.4.3 Save Africa by Africa – Sr.