Society of the Divine Word
The Congregation
SVD Foundations Worldwide The Divine Word Missionaries, also known as SVDs are members of the Society of the Divine Word (Latin: Societas Verbi Divini). They are an international order of Roman Catholic brothers, priests and seminarians numbering 6,102 members (as of 2006) working in 67 countries. Members usually live in multicultural communities reflecting their rich ethnic diversity.
The ultimate purpose of their mission today is the same as it is has been since the time of their founder, "to proclaim the Kingdom of God's love" (Mark 1:14-15) as the common destiny of all humanity and the horizon toward which they travel. It is from the internal loving dialogue of the triune God that this mission emerges, a dialogue of love and forgiveness with all humanity. They do not invent their own mission -- it is Missio Dei -- they are called by the Father, sent by the Word and led by the Spirit.
They give witness to the Kingdom in a world deeply divided by belief, social class, culture and religion. And so they reach out to others in prophetic dialogue, seeking to bridge the divisions that keep human beings separated from one another and from God. Their mission in prophetic dialogue is at the service of communion and it points to the final manifestation of the Reign of God.
They give witness to the Kingdom in a world deeply divided by belief, social class, culture and religion. And so they reach out to others in prophetic dialogue, seeking to bridge the divisions that keep human beings separated from one another and from God. Their mission in prophetic dialogue is at the service of communion and it points to the final manifestation of the Reign of God.
They understand dialogue as an attitude of solidarity, respect, and love that is to permeate all of their activities. In solidarity, they reach out to others to share their lives with them in their concrete situation. In respect, they revere the uniqueness and the dignity of each person and of every human community. Above all, love binds them together in spite of their failings.
In prophetic dialogue, they especially commit themselves to people who are (1) faith-seekers and who have no community of faith, engaging in primary evangelization (missio ad gentes) and re-evangelization; (2) poor and marginalized, seeking to promote integral human development; (3) of different cultures so as to learn from and share in the diversity of gifts given by the God of Life; (4) of other Christian Churches, followers of other religious traditions, and those committed to diverse ideologies.
The Society of the Divine Word or SVD missionaries work primarily where the Gospel has not been preached at all, or only insufficiently, and where the local Church is not yet viable on its own. The SVD's membership reflects the international nature of the congregation and representative of the areas of the world they serve. The SVD missionaries serve according to the needs of the local Church and the particular expertise they bring to the task.
In Asia, the SVDs are involved in education, especially in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Japan. They are also involved in pastoral and developmental work, and other specialized ministries such as Bible apostolate, the youth, communications, and refugee apostolate in Africa and South America. Their work in the United States involves the minority communities, especially African-American and Hispanic communities, as well as, poor areas such as Appalachia.