Sunday, August 31, 2025

 

THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SOCIETY OF THE DIVINE WORD

TO CHURCH HISTORY: 150 YEARS OF PRESENCE AND MISSION (1875–2025) 

I. The Beginning of an International Missionary Congregation

        The Society of the Divine Word (Societas Verbi Divini – SVD), commonly known as the Divine Word Missionaries, was founded by Saint Arnold Janssen (1837–1909) on September 8, 1875, in Steyl, the Netherlands. At a time when late 19th-century Europe was marked by secularization and a crisis of faith, Fr. Arnold—a German diocesan priest—courageously initiated a new missionary endeavor, focusing on proclaiming the Gospel to peoples who had not yet come to know Christ.

Fr. Arnold was convinced of the need for a religious congregation dedicated specifically to missionary service. This was not only a faithful response to the call of the Gospel but also an effective way to bring the light of faith to distant lands, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Thus, the Society of the Divine Word was born as an international missionary congregation with the mission ad gentes—to be sent to those who had not yet believed in Christ.

With the motto “Verbum Domini manet in aeternum – The Word of the Lord endures forever”, the congregation’s missionary spirituality has been rooted in living, absorbing, and sharing the Word of God with all peoples. From its earliest years, Divine Word Missionaries set out to distant mission fields—China, Togo, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, and many other places where the Gospel had not yet been heard.

A unique characteristic of the Society from its very beginnings was its international spirit and commitment to inculturation. Missionary formation centers were established to welcome candidates from different nations and prepare them to be missionaries ready to be sent anywhere in the world. This international outlook and cultural adaptability became—and remain—hallmarks of the Divine Word Missionaries from the start until today.

II. Missionary Identity: Proclaiming the Gospel through Presence, Dialogue, and Service

        The missionary identity of the Society of the Divine Word is expressed not only in the proclamation of the Word of God but also through concrete commitment in many areas: education, healthcare, social services, communication, scientific research, and, above all, intercultural and interreligious dialogue. From the very beginning, the Society has been convinced that evangelization is not merely about “speaking about Christ,” but about “living with, living among, and living for” real people in their unique cultural and religious contexts.

Divine Word Missionaries are carefully trained to learn the local language, understand the customs and traditions of the people, and build trusting relationships with the communities to which they are sent. This missionary approach has a distinctive character: not imposing, but accompanying; not only teaching, but also listening and bearing witness through humble service.

One of the striking marks of the Society’s mission is its strong presence in multi-religious contexts such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and many African nations. In these settings, SVD missionaries proclaim the Gospel not only with words, but also with a life of humility, closeness to the poor, solidarity, and a commitment to fostering communion among different religious traditions.

This vision is also affirmed in the documents of the Church. The Synod of Bishops on Mission (1971) and the Decree Ad Gentes of the Second Vatican Council emphasized the need for missionaries specially prepared for interreligious dialogue and cultural adaptation—missionaries capable of living with followers of other religions in sincerity, respect, and mutual enrichment (Ad Gentes, no. 11).

In this way, the Society of the Divine Word stands as a living witness to the Church’s new missionary paradigm: to proclaim the Gospel not only by preaching, but through presence, dialogue, and service in the spirit of Christian charity.

III. The Contribution to the Universal Church

1. Mission at the Peripheries

        The Society of the Divine Word has left a profound mark on the missionary life of the Universal Church through its presence in more than 80 countries and territories, especially in the peripheries—places where priests are few, pastoral structures are limited, and the life of faith faces many challenges.

Faithful to its mission “to be sent to those who do not yet know Christ,” Divine Word Missionaries often choose to serve in remote regions, forgotten communities, and among minority groups. In Asia, the Society has a strong missionary presence in China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and many other countries, where the task of evangelization requires flexible adaptation to languages, cultures, and complex religious contexts.

2. Contribution to Interreligious Dialogue and Inculturation

        One of the Society’s most significant contributions to the Church today is the promotion of interreligious dialogue and cultural inculturation—two dimensions highlighted by the Second Vatican Council’s Ad Gentes (1965) and reaffirmed by Saint John Paul II in the Encyclical Redemptoris Missio (1990).

The missionary approach of the SVD is not based on imposition or cultural assimilation, but on respecting and valuing local religious and cultural traditions. In their missionary journey, Divine Word Missionaries learn to listen to the “religious soul” of the people, to recognize the “seeds of the Word” (semina Verbi) present in other faith traditions, and to engage in dialogue with humility, respect, and Christian charity.

Nourished by a spirituality rooted in prayer, study, and cultural immersion, the Society of the Divine Word has become one of the pioneering forces of modern mission, contributing to the building of a more human, fraternal, and deeply united world among religions and cultures.

III. The Presence of the Divine Word Missionaries in Vietnam

1. A Milestone in the Birth of the Province

        On March 19, 1998, a significant milestone was marked in the history of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in Vietnam. On this day, the Joseph Congregation of Vietnam was officially merged into the Society of the Divine Word, and after years of union, the St. Joseph Province of the Divine Word Missionaries in Vietnam was formally established. This was not merely an administrative event, but a spiritual moment of grace, opening a new era for the mission of evangelization within the Church in Vietnam.

2. Growth in Membership and Mission

Under the loving providence of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Province has steadily grown in numbers, spiritual life, and missionary depth. Today, the Province counts about 200 members, from novices to perpetually professed missionaries, serving in 13 dioceses and numerous mission areas across the country.

Beyond national borders, the Province has also embraced its international missionary vocation. More than 100 Vietnamese Divine Word Missionaries have been sent abroad to evangelize, study, and serve in various countries, continuing the mandate of Christ: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15).

3. Main Pastoral Ministries

In the spirit of living and sharing the Word of God, the Province of Vietnam is currently engaged in a wide range of pastoral ministries, including:

·        Ministry among ethnic minorities in remote and underserved regions;

·        Parish ministry and pastoral care for migrants;

·        Accompaniment of youth and students, especially in large urban centers;

·        Biblical Apostolate, fostering a deeper love and understanding of God’s Word in communities;

·        Care and formation for orphans and disadvantaged children.

4. Spirituality and Charism of Mission

        The spirituality and charism of the Society are firmly rooted in the Word of God and the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations—especially to those who do not yet know Christ, the poor, the forgotten, and those living at the peripheries. With the motto: “Verbum Domini manet in aeternum – The Word of the Lord endures forever”, Divine Word Missionaries are called to be living witnesses of the Gospel—proclaiming not only through words, but through presence, humble service, dialogue, and cultural engagement in a world marked by religious and cultural diversity.

5. A Journey of Growth and Maturity

After more than 27 years of presence and development, the Divine Word Missionaries in Vietnam continue to grow, becoming an ever more vibrant part of the life of the Church. The Province stands as both a sign of hope and a source of missionary energy, serving not only the local Church in Vietnam but also contributing generously to the missionary mandate of the Universal Church today.

IV. Notable Figures of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD)

        Throughout more than 150 years of presence and service, the Society of the Divine Word has given the Church many outstanding figures—men who have left a profound mark on the history of mission and on the life of faith of God’s people.

They were not only zealous missionaries sent to the ends of the earth, but also learned scholars, wise pastors, cultural pioneers, and living witnesses of the Gospel in the heart of the world. Through their holiness, their intellectual depth, and their spirit of service, they have illuminated the spirituality and mission of the Society, leaving behind a rich legacy for the Universal Church and for the local communities where they served.

1. Saint Arnold Janssen (1837–1909) – Founder of the Society of the Divine Word

        Saint Arnold Janssen, a German diocesan priest, was raised up by God in the turbulent context of 19th-century Europe, when secularization and anti-clerical movements threatened the very life of Christian faith. With unshakable conviction in the power of God’s Word, he founded the Society of the Divine Word on September 8, 1875, in Steyl, the Netherlands, opening a missionary endeavor with an international character.

Yet his vision did not stop there. With missionary foresight, he went on to establish:

·        The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) in 1889, to collaborate directly in mission service;

·        The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (SSpSAP) in 1896, to sustain and envelop the missionary task with the power of prayer and contemplative life.

Arnold was a pioneer in the systematic formation of missionaries, stressing the importance of:

·        Prayer as the essential source of strength,

·        Study and scientific research as vital preparation for mission,

·        Inculturation so that the Gospel might take root among the peoples,

·        And love for those who did not yet know Christ as the very heart of missionary zeal.

With a vision far ahead of his time, Arnold Janssen became a father, teacher, and pathfinder of Gospel witness for the modern Church. His works and legacy were not confined to one congregation but grew into a worldwide missionary movement within the Universal Church.

On October 5, 2003, Pope John Paul II canonized Arnold Janssen, solemnly affirming his holiness and his extraordinary missionary charism in founding not only an international missionary society, but also two congregations of missionary sisters dedicated to sharing in the same task of evangelization.

2. Saint Joseph Freinademetz (1852–1908) – Pioneer Missionary to China 

        Saint Joseph Freinademetz was born in 1852 in South Tyrol (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Italy). As one of the first members of the Society of the Divine Word, he was sent to China in 1879, just four years after the Society was founded.

With humility and zeal, he quickly learned the Chinese language, lived simply among the people, and fully immersed himself in their culture. He did not see himself as a “foreigner sent to preach,” but as “a Chinese person who bore the Christian faith.” Through love, closeness, and service, he sowed the seeds of the Gospel not so much by words, but above all by the testimony of his life.

During outbreaks of deadly epidemics, Joseph did not abandon his flock. Instead, he remained with them, caring for the sick, consoling the afflicted, and sharing in their suffering. This faithful dedication led to his death in 1908 at the age of only 56.

His holiness and courageous witness became a shining model for future generations of missionaries: inculturation, loving service, and fidelity to the flock until the very end. On October 5, 2003, Pope John Paul II canonized Joseph Freinademetz, SVD, together with the Founder, Saint Arnold Janssen, solemnly affirming in him the image of a missionary who truly “lived with, lived among, and lived for” God’s people in China.

3. Cardinal Thomas Tien Keng-hsin, SVD (1890–1967) – A Sign of the Church’s Universality 

        Cardinal Thomas Tien Keng-hsin (Tien Gengxin) was the first Cardinal of the Catholic Church who did not come from Europe, marking a historic milestone for the Universal Church and for the Society of the Divine Word.

Born in 1890 in Hebei Province, China, he entered the Society of the Divine Word and was sent to Europe for formation, being ordained a priest in 1918. In 1939, he was appointed Bishop of Qingdao, and in 1942, Bishop of Daming. In 1946, when Pope Pius XII formally established the Church hierarchy in China, Bishop Tien was elevated to the College of Cardinals and named Archbishop of Beijing.

With love for both the Church and his homeland, Cardinal Tien courageously shepherded his flock amid the political and social turmoil of mid-20th century China. After 1949, due to political upheaval, he was forced into exile, but he remained steadfastly faithful to his pastoral mission, tirelessly caring for Chinese Catholic communities abroad.

Cardinal Thomas Tien stands as a pioneering witness of the inculturation of the Gospel in Asian culture and a vivid sign of the universality and diversity in unity of the Catholic Church. His life reflects the very heart of the Society of the Divine Word’s mission: “to proclaim the Good News to all peoples” through steadfast presence, faithful witness, and tireless service.

4. Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD – The Compassionate Voice of the Divine Word

Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD, currently serves as Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan, and as President of Caritas Internationalis—making him one of the most influential Asian pastors in the Universal Church today.

Born in 1958 in Miyako, Japan, he entered the Society of the Divine Word and was ordained a priest in 1986. After ordination, he was sent as a missionary to Ghana, Africa, where he lived closely among the poor and shared in the struggles of marginalized communities. This missionary experience shaped him into a shepherd marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to social justice.

Embodying the SVD spirituality of “preaching through presence,” Cardinal Kikuchi has been particularly dedicated to interreligious dialogue, inculturation, and the defense of human dignity. He often emphasizes that evangelization is not only about proclamation in words, but about concrete acts of solidarity and charity.

Today, as President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Kikuchi has become a strong voice of the Church in defense of the poor, migrants, and marginalized communities, helping to shape the Church’s global pastoral response to social challenges.

In 2025, he participated in the Conclave of Cardinals as one of two SVD Cardinals who contributed to the election of Pope Leo XIV. His presence at this historic moment was a powerful sign of the growing contribution of the Asian Church and the international role of the Society of the Divine Word within the life of the Universal Church.

5. Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, SVD – A Missionary Presence in the Church of Serbia

        Cardinal Ladislav Nemet, SVD, currently serves as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius and as Vice President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE). Through these responsibilities, he has contributed significantly to communion, dialogue, and unity in the Church across the European continent.

As the first Cardinal from Serbia, he stands as a living witness to the missionary spirit and cultural engagement of the Divine Word Missionaries in Europe—a continent once considered the cradle of Christianity, yet today facing many challenges of faith and evangelization.

Throughout his ministry as priest and bishop, Cardinal Nemet has served in various countries, including the Philippines, Croatia, Austria, and Hungary. Wherever he has been sent, he has shown himself to be a pastor who is open, dialogical, and committed to service, building bridges between different cultural and religious traditions.

His participation in the 2025 Conclave, alongside Cardinal Tarcisio Kikuchi, highlighted not only the international role of the Society of the Divine Word, but also the enduring value of a missionary presence that is humble yet steadfast, quiet yet profoundly effective. Cardinal Nemet’s life is a concrete embodiment of the SVD spirit: to proclaim the Gospel through communion, dialogue, and service in the heart of the Universal Church today..

6. Fr. Antonio M. Pernia, SVD – The First Asian Superior General

Fr. Antonio M. Pernia, SVD, from the Philippines, was elected Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word for two consecutive terms (2000–2012), becoming the first Asian religious to hold the highest leadership role in the more than century-long history of the Society.

With a solid theological foundation and a broad missionary vision, Fr. Pernia guided the Society into the 21st century in a context of globalization, multiculturalism, and interreligious dialogue. He emphasized the reorientation of the missionary mandate, helping the Society adapt to the new challenges of the modern world. During his leadership, he strongly promoted:

·        Inculturation, so that the Gospel might take deep root in every people;

·        Interreligious dialogue, as an essential path for building peace and mutual understanding;

·        International formation, preparing future missionaries to serve effectively in a global and intercultural environment.

Under his leadership, the Society’s presence grew stronger in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, while making significant contributions to the Universal Church through pastoral initiatives and academic engagement.

Beyond his role as Superior General, Fr. Pernia became a familiar voice at Synods of Bishops and international theological forums, where he offered a missionary vision enriched by the perspectives and experiences of Asia.

After completing his terms of service, he has continued to teach, accompany in pastoral ministry, and form younger generations of missionaries, ensuring that the charism of the Divine Word remains vibrant and relevant in the life of the Church today.

7. Fr. Heinz Kulüke, SVD – A Friend of the Poor

        Fr. Heinz Kulüke, SVD, from Germany, was elected as the 11th Superior General of the Society of the Divine Word, serving from 2012–2018. Before this role, he spent many years as a missionary in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu City, where he lived among the poor in slum areas and garbage dumps.

Fr. Kulüke was not only a presence of companionship but also a man of concrete action. He founded organizations to support the poor and promoted initiatives in education, healthcare, and human rights for marginalized communities.

Holding a doctorate in philosophy, he combined the depth of an intellectual with the heart of a pastor, carrying within him profound compassion for the vulnerable. His years living among the poor gave him a missionary spirituality deeply rooted in human dignity and social justice.

As Superior General, Fr. Kulüke particularly emphasized:

·        Social justice as an integral dimension of mission;

·        Care for creation in the face of global climate change;

·        A mission from the margins, where the Church is called to be humbly present and to serve quietly yet faithfully.

His simple, humble, and dedicated lifestyle remains a living example of Divine Word spirituality in today’s world—a spirituality grounded in the Gospel of Christ, expressed in solidarity with, and love for, the least of our brothers and sisters.

8. Distinguished Scholars and Missionaries in Asia and Vietnam

        In addition to Cardinals, Superiors General, and international missionaries, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) has also contributed renowned scholars and devoted missionaries in Vietnam and across Asia.

These men have not only dedicated themselves to serving in distant mission fields but have also played crucial roles in theological formation, interreligious dialogue, and cultural inculturation—areas especially vital in Asia, with its rich diversity of faiths, cultures, and traditions.

In Vietnam, many SVD priests have:

·        Taught at Major Seminaries and Theological Institutes;

·        Served on the theological, liturgical, and missionary commissions of the Bishops’ Conference;

·        Produced significant research on Asian theology, local culture, and interreligious dialogue.

Notably, SVD scholars and missionaries have made important contributions to building bridges of dialogue between Christianity and major religions in Asia, such as Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as with traditional faith practices in Vietnam.

This academic and pastoral presence is not only professional but also deeply imbued with the spirit of humility, service, and fidelity to the mission of “proclaiming the Word of God” within cultures. Through this, the Society of the Divine Word continues to be a dynamic and influential missionary force, contributing actively to the Church’s mission across Asia today.

V. 150 Years – A Journey of Fidelity and Hope

        The celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word (1875–2025) is a sacred moment, inviting members of the Congregation to contemplate a faith-filled journey of sacrifice, courage, and abundant fruitfulness carried out faithfully in the heart of the Church and in the midst of the world. From its humble beginnings in Steyl, the Netherlands, the Society has grown into an international missionary congregation with nearly 6,000 members serving in over 80 countries across all continents.

For a century and a half, countless Divine Word Missionaries have given their youth, their energy, and even their lives to bring the Gospel to distant lands where Christ was not yet known. These hidden sacrifices are living testimonies of fidelity to the missionary calling first inspired by Saint Arnold Janssen.

1. Formation and Scholarship – A Solid Foundation for Mission

        One of the hallmarks of this 150-year journey is the Society’s strong emphasis on formation and scholarship. The Divine Word Missionaries have founded and directed many theological institutes, missionary centers, and cultural research facilities around the world. These institutions not only serve the training of SVD members but also contribute to the wider mission of the Church by preparing missionaries equipped for inculturation, interreligious dialogue, and service to humanity.

Notable international centers such as Nemi (Italy), Tagaytay (Philippines), and St. Gabriel (Austria) have become gathering places for scholars, students, and seekers of truth. From these centers, generations of missionaries—international, intercultural, and deeply formed—have been thoroughly prepared in theology, anthropology, languages, and cultural engagement, and sent forth to serve throughout the world.

2. Looking to the Future with Hope

The commemoration of 150 years is not only an opportunity to look back with gratitude, but also a call to move forward with renewed hope and ongoing renewal. Nourished by the spirituality of the Word and driven by a missionary passion, the Divine Word Missionaries today remain faithful to Christ’s mandate: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation” (Mk 16:15), confident that “The Word of the Lord endures forever” (Verbum Domini manet in aeternum).

With this conviction, the Society of the Divine Word continues its journey of fidelity and hope, courageously engaging in mission amid a world marked by religious diversity, cultural pluralism, and rapid change—so that the Word of God may remain forever the light and strength of mission, both today and for generations to come.

VI. Conclusion: The Divine Word Missionaries – Faithful in Change, Creative in Mission

Truyền Thông Ngôi Lời Việt Nam - YouTube

        Over the course of 150 years of growth and service, the Society of the Divine Word has lived out its missionary identity in a world marked by constant change. From a small band of pioneering missionaries in Steyl, the Netherlands, the Society has become an international congregation, present on every continent, remaining faithful to its mission of proclaiming the Gospel, embracing cultural diversity, fostering interreligious dialogue, and serving the poor, the marginalized, and those forgotten by society.

Its fidelity to the spirituality of the Word, combined with a readiness to adapt to the challenges of each era, has enabled the Society to continually renew its ways of mission, while never abandoning its core identity of holiness, communion, and missionary zeal in the footsteps of Saint Arnold Janssen.

Divine - With the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Society of the Divine  Word approaching in 2025, the General Council in Rome has selected this  theme for the jubilee celebration: "

        In a world thirsting for meaning, truth, and hope, the Divine Word Missionaries continue to be living witnesses of the Gospel, not only through preaching, but through lives marked by humility, solidarity, and selfless service. Through their presence, the Word of God becomes visible and tangible in every culture, in every community, and in every person.

May the Society of the Divine Word remain ever faithful to its missionary vocation, bearing witness to the truth of salvation so that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14) may not only be proclaimed but also lived and bear fruit among all peoples and cultures.

May the journey of the Society in the 21st century continue to shine like a lamp set on a stand, radiating the light of truth, love, and salvation in Jesus Christ—the living Word of God.

The Society of the Divine Word has been, is, and will continue to be an integral part of the missionary mandate of the Universal Church, through its respect for cultures, its promotion of interreligious dialogue, and its concrete solidarity with the poor and forgotten. Its spiritual legacy remains a clear reminder for the Church today: mission is not only about preaching, but about a life permeated with the love of Christ.

Philippines, on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word,
Fr. Anthony Trần Xuân Sang, SVD.