This month’s interview is with Sr Clare DSP (Daughter of St Paul), who felt happy to meet God and share His love in different countries, especially through media ministry. I want to thank Ms Janina Gomes, herself an experienced writer, who conducted this and five other interviews we have published in MAGNET.–Editor
1.What made you want to be a religious? Why did you join a congregation engaged in media ministry?
My vocation to religious life showed itself early in life. Coming from a deeply Christian family, I was actively involved in church activities and steadfast in attending catechism classes on Sundays in church and in school on weekdays. I particularly loved the catechism classes taught by Sisters, as I enjoyed the many stories they told. Among them were stories of courage, sacrificing love and painful renunciations undertaken by friends and acquaintances who had already entered this heroic path. I looked up to them and told them that one day I too would join them. The Sisters also painted lovely pictures of far-away countries living in darkness where the light of the Gospel had not reached. The people had not even heard the name of Jesus and his love for all peoples. This made me sad. Missionaries were needed to go to spread the Good News of Jesus. That is where my missionary vocation was born.
Media mission is another story. Back then, I did not know that there were many congregations and as many Charisms. All I wanted was to be a missionary. I spoke to the parish priest about my desire. Years went by. When I was in my final year of school, the priest sent word about two missionary sisters from Bombay coming to recruit members for their congregation. The sisters told us in brief about their media ministry which at that time went right above my head. I did not know anything about the media or how one can use it for the apostolate. The sisters accepted me, and the date was set for my departure to Bombay.
- What are the main things you learnt from your training?
The group of aspirants was bombarded with information of various kinds. Many of us were coming out of our village homes for the first time and we could communicate with each other only in our mother tongue. Along with learning English. we were taught the basics of religious life, of our particular congregation and mission. Very enlightening and enriching were the lessons about our founders—Blessed James Alberione and Venerable Thecla Merlo—how God guided them and gifted them with a specific Charism according to the need of the hour (end of the 20th century and the beginning of 21st). The spirituality and mission of the Daughters of St. Paul can be summed up in two short phrases: Live Christ and give Christ, sharing in the evangelizing mission of the Church through the media.
At Amruthavani communication centre in Secunderabad, the training course, called “Communication for Church Personnel” was somewhat theoretical and technical. We were taught how to pass on messages to various audiences through the media, mainly radio and television.
I was then sent to Rome for a course. “Formation of Formators.” Members of different congregations shared with us their experience of forming young women to be what the Church and congregations want them to be.
- You served as a missionary in Africa for nineteen years. Can you summarize your work there briefly?
After my arrival in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, I took time to learn Swahili, the local language. With regard to the apostolate, I found that the activities were much the same as in India, but on a smaller scale, i.e., diffusion through the Book Centre and parish displays. I recall with great joy and satisfaction two activities that we initiated in my time. We recorded parish choirs and produced audio cassettes. The people received them with much joy, because it was the first time recorded religious audio cassettes were available in Tanzania. The second: we transformed a vacant garage adjacent to the Book Centre into a video library where we stocked wholesome videos. This was yet another initiative which the religious and laity alike appreciated.
In Kenya, we set up a publishing house and published works of African authors. The African Bible, which was translated into other languages, like Swahili, Portuguese and French, is popular in their respective nations. Eventually we published The Divine Office and The Daily Missal. An activity that is well appreciated in Kenya is setting up of small Book Centres in parishes and training the personnel to run them. Now the sisters are very much into the use of the social media for evangelization.
When we arrived in Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, we faced a serious challenge. Seminaries were packed with students, but they had no text books. The few copies available were imported from Europe or America, which were beyond their means. So, they photocopied large volumes, like the Jerome Biblical Commentary, Christian Ethics, The Christian Faith, etc. We ordered huge quantities of these books from India, which were so much cheaper. Then we visited the seminaries carrying with us truckloads of books. Now there is a Pauline publishing house in Nigeria too. Neighbouring countries, like Ghana and Cameroon, also profited from our outreach mission.
- You were a provincial superior. What are the priorities for a religious superior today? And the main challenges?
Of the many challenges facing religious superiors today, I shall briefly dwell on two or three.
- Authenticity is number one. Not only living consecrated life authentically, but also inculcating in the members the values of consecrated life by living in a counter-cultural manner. Those who see us must be able to sense something different; they must see Christ in us. Our life must resemble the Christian community of the first century, loving and sharing: See how they love one another. Otherwise, there is no witness value.
- The superior is expected to be an agent of unity. She/he has the task of building bridges. When divisions based on language, caste, race, place of origin, etc.,. enter a convent/congregation, that is the beginning of the end. It should be nipped in the bud.
- “Donations”: Some Catholic schools, colleges and parishes demand a “donation” of lakhs for admission in our schools and providing jobs. We say we are poor, but are we? Again, witness value is nil.
- You have written twelve books. How do you see the ministry of writing?
Today, social media is king. People all over—city or village alike—are captivated by their charm and utility. While I appreciate the enormous possibilities they offer, I am a devotee of the print medium for its many benefits. So, I write.
My audiences are varied, the main concern being to communicate values, particularly to children and youth. A couple of my books are religiously oriented.
Some of my books have gone into reprints. This is the feedback, an indication that they are appreciated. Otherwise, very few persons have told me personally that they find my books useful.
- You were the editor of Pauline Publications. Tell us something about this ministry.
Editing is a beautiful ministry, very challenging too. Our slogan is: Nourishing the mind, strengthening the will and purifying the heart. When a manuscript reaches our editorial office, we accept it only if it fits in with our policy. If it needs major editing, we suggest that the author incorporate the needed changes. Otherwise, the editor does the needful and sends it to the next step. Often the evaluation of the manuscript is carried out by more than one person. The editor with her team visualizes the final product, determines the audience, the cost, the number of copies to be printed and the technical details of the final product. Editorial work involves a certain amount of risk. When the book does not move as expected, It becomes a liability to the production house.
- You have been exposed to different cultures. What has this taught you?
The countries where I have stayed long enough to be impacted by their culture are not many. Others were short visits for the purpose of a conference or consultation. Besides Africa, I have stayed longer in Italy (here too I have experience only of my own communities). As is well known, Italy has all trappings of being very religious, particularly its monuments and places of worship. But one gets the impression that true spirituality is on the decline. The Italians are warm-hearted, welcoming, hard working, generous and helpful.
I have gained inspiration from sisters in the various communities where I stayed: they are very much in love with the Charism of the congregation. A good number of them are professionally prepared and make creative use of the media to proclaim the Gospel.
Finally, human nature is the same everywhere. Our basic needs are a little love, understanding, respect and appreciation. When mutually shared, there is happiness for all.
Sr Clare Ukken FSP
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