New Studium in Ulaanbaatar promotes Mongolian language, culture, and missionary inculturation during 2026 Pastoral Week.
Newsroom (11/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Catholic Church in Mongolia officially inaugurated a new research and formation centre last Tuesday, 5 May, within the compound of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ulaanbaatar. Known as the Studium, the facility is designed to promote a deeper understanding of Mongolian language, culture, and society among foreign missionaries, catechists, and volunteers engaged in pastoral and social work.
Located in the cathedral’s north wing, the centre occupies premises that previously housed the offices of Caritas Mongolia, which have since relocated to a separate site. The Studium represents a milestone in a project launched in September 2025, aimed at strengthening the process of inculturation within the local Church.
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, described the initiative as a response to the growing need for ongoing formation among pastoral workers. He explained that the centre seeks to provide structured training opportunities, enabling participants to deepen their knowledge of Mongolia’s language, history, religion, and broader social context, while also encouraging linguistic research.
The inauguration ceremony reflected the cultural focus of the new institution. A morin khuur musician, playing the traditional Mongolian string instrument, and a singer of local music offered performances, while Mr. J. Selenge delivered a lecture on “Mongolian Identity,” underscoring the importance of cultural understanding in missionary work.
The opening of the Studium coincided with the Catholic Church’s annual Pastoral Week, held this year from 6 to 9 May at the same cathedral. The event brought together approximately 90 participants, including missionaries, lay faithful, catechists, and Church leaders, for reflection and dialogue.
Centred on the theme “Grace and Mission of the Catholic Church in Mongolia,” the gathering provided a forum for collective discernment about the Church’s identity and purpose in the country. Participants engaged in synodal-style discussions, asking fundamental questions about their calling, mission, and the unique gifts of the local Church.
Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, Consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, was invited to guide the sessions as guest speaker. The discussions emphasized mutual listening and shared reflection as key elements in shaping the Church’s future direction.
Ahead of the event, Cardinal Marengo encouraged participants to approach the discussions with spiritual attentiveness. He urged them to view the Church in Mongolia “with the eyes of faith and the eyes of God,” fostering a climate of prayer and openness throughout the week.
The establishment of the Studium, alongside the reflections of Pastoral Week, signals a renewed commitment by the Catholic community in Mongolia to root its mission more deeply in the local cultural and social fabric.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
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