One thing I love about learning a new language is the discovery of words or phrases which express concepts, feelings, experiences in ways one\u2019s native tongue (or tongues, for us Maltese bilinguals!) cannot. A year on from my bumpy landing into 24\/7 Italian conversation, I have accumulated a small list of my personal favourites \u2013 such as \u201cgiocarsi\u201d, \u201cdonarsi\u201d* \u2013 linked to treasured experiences and sentiments. Then there are some words and expressions which are perhaps less erudite, but more entertaining! Such as \u201cspaesato\u201d, meaning \u2018disoriented\u2019, \u2018lost\u2019…usually used to describe the facial expression of a hapless novice (such as yours truly) in the moment of being rudely brought back down to reality from his daydreaming. Broken down to \u201cs-paes(e)-ato\u201d, it literally means \u201cbeing out of (one\u2019s) country\/native place\u201d. A fabulous etymology.<\/p>\n
The culture \u2018shock\u2019 of the novitiate was and is greatly softened by the warm welcome of all and the international flavour of the community. But it remains challenging: \u2018culture\u2019 is something that Italians \u2013 and rightly so \u2013 prize very highly and nurture with great care, but it is a small word for an immense reality of language, dialects, styles of expression, norms, values, history, geography, art, literature, music, theatre, film, politics, temperaments, famous figures, economy, migration, spirituality, religion, ecclesiastical reality… Throw into the mix the different sub-cultures of Italy\u2019s varied regions, and the puzzle becomes truly bewildering.<\/p>\n
But it is immensely fulfilling, opening a world of horizons. Previously \u2013 having spent practically my entire life with my nose planted firmly in science books, talking about my studies or work as a doctor even at table with family, friends and during nights out \u2013 \u2018culture\u2019 and all it entails featured low on the list of my personal priorities. The time in the novitiate, however, has given me the great gifts of discovery and personal growth in these areas which I didn\u2019t even know existed, areas which give a greater fullness to my experience of life and reality. But it opens new dimensions not only within me, but also builds new bridges, new ways of communicating with people from diverse walks of life, ways of thinking, academic backgrounds, passions and desires.<\/p>\n
Another take on this is the aspect of \u2018inculturation\u2019: as Jesuits, we are called to take on and incorporate within ourselves the very culture of the places we live in and in which we carry out our ministry. This is not to be taken lightly, carelessly, expecting the culture to \u2018just grow on me\u2019, but it is an active commitment: a commitment to love and appreciate the people who have welcomed me, a commitment to nurturing personal wonder and joy in the gifts God has planted in his peoples, a commitment to become effective apostles on mission in the realities in which we are sent.<\/p>\n
Which is why, questioning myself on how I can do this in an active, explicit way, I have recently decided to dive more determinedly into the vast ocean that is Italian culture, starting with baby steps: savouring prized literature, informing myself on national news and political events, exploring the peninsula\u2019s complex history\u2026 Small and even pleasant commitments, but which I wish to do diligently and lovingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe glory of God is man fully alive\u201d, goes one interpretation of a saying attributed to St Iranaeus of Lyons: and if a \u201cfully alive\u201d, cultured man is one matured and actively engaged in a multitude of dimensions, then culture can truly be a means of \u2018finding God in all things\u2019 as another St I of L ** would say.<\/p>\n
*giocarsi = to really put oneself \u2018in the game\u2019, involving all or part of what is precious\/intimate\/vulnerabile of yourself in the action which you are participating in<\/p>\n
donarsi = \u2018donate yourself\u2019 doesn\u2019t really capture the concept of \u2018total gift of self\u2019 which fires Ignatian spirituality and which is expressed by this word<\/p>\n
** St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"