Illuminating the Path: Reflection on 'Witnessing to the Light, from Everywhere for Everyone'
The theme of our Jubilee Year, “Witnessing to the Light, from Everywhere for Everyone,” has resonated deeply within my heart and mind as I am applying for Perpetual Vows and First Assignments, writes SVD student Peter Wang.
It reminds me this is a call to all of us in the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) with a renewed commitment to our core identity and mission.
Witnessing to the Light: from everywhere, for everyone - Cultural Anthropology.
One of the great gifts and important fields of study during my priestly formation was the study of “Cultural Anthropology”. It was seen as one of the foundation stones for our future missionary life as an SVD. The awareness of what it means to live in a particular culture, that it is ‘like an iceberg with only the tip showing but most of it being not visible’, made us aware of the complexities involved in knowing one’s own culture, let alone learning another culture.
And yet, as a missionary that is what we are meant to do. We not only learn another language when one goes overseas, but we make every effort to learn everything we can about the new people we are asked to serve. Their values, their social structure, their customs, their beliefs, their rituals, and yes, their light and darkness.
September 8th – Faith & Jubilee Celebrations: Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the SVD Jubilee Inauguration
On September 8, Good Shepherd Parish in Kirwan came alive with joy and spiritual fervour as the community gathered for two significant events: The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the inauguration of the 150th Jubilee celebrations of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
This special day was a powerful reminder of our unity in faith, our love for Mary, and our gratitude for the Global Missionary work of the SVDs.
Reflection on Parish ministry in Townsville Diocese in the light of 'Witnessing to the Light: from Everywhere for Everyone'
I’m Gideon Awudi SVD, originally from Ghana but assigned to the Australia Province and I’m working in Townsville Diocese, North Queensland, Australia.
The Townsville Diocese at present is considering a new model of parish ministry in relation to ‘Becoming New in Christ.’ In this new model, parishes have been reconfigured, and the goal is to bring parish mission renewal in the diocese.
Implications for “Witnessing to the Light” in Our Mission of Proclaiming the Good News
On September 8, 2024, the Society of the Divine Word worldwide inaugurated the Jubilee Year celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding with the theme: "Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere, for Everyone." In the Australia Province, we marked this significant occasion with a simple yet profound opening ritual, featuring processions of the Bible, the globe, the Jubilee logo, and the Jubilee candle. Each symbol embodies the deep missionary spirituality of the SVD.
This ritual coincided with the priestly ordination of Cuong Quoc Dang, SVD, marking the beginning of his own journey as a missionary – a witness to the Light. My reflection on this Jubilee theme is deeply inspired by this event, particularly as it relates to our Australia Province. As Cuong Dang begins his journey of witnessing to the Light, it is worth considering several key principles that not only guide him but all of us, writes Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD.
Rockhampton Diocese welcomes SVD Jubilee Year
Reflection on the formation and future mission of Divine Word Missionaries, celebrating the Jubilee Year: "Witnessing the Light from Everywhere to Everyone"
The Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) are celebrating the Jubilee Year of 150 years under the theme "Witnessing the Light from Everywhere to Everyone".
In line with this, I as an SVD student in the Australia Province want to use this opportunity to reflect on my journey as a seminarian in the SVD and highlight how important formation is in the Divine Word Missionaryes to help the seminarians grow and be ready for their future mission, since the mission of the SVD is rooted in the call to spread the light of Christ universally, across cultural, social, and religious boundaries, writes Gusty Siga SVD.
Thailand District gathers for double Jubilee celebration
The Thailand-Myanmar District celebrated the Jubilee Opening on September 28, as part of the District’s celebration of its Silver Jubilee in Thailand (1999-2024).
The celebration took place at St Michael Archangel Church in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, NE Thailand.
Divine Word Missionaries inaugurate 150th anniversary year celebrations
The Divine Word Missionaries Australia Province launched the Jubilee Year for the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word this month, the first of many Sesquicentenary events to be held throughout the year.
The occasion in Melbourne was a double celebration, also featuring the priestly ordination of Cuong Quoc Dang SVD, who will continue the missionary legacy when he takes up his first assignment to Angola.
Bangkok SVD Community opens 150-Year Jubilee with Silver Jubilee celebration of SVD presence in Thailand
Nearly 100 friends and benefactors gathered at the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) community in Bangkok on Sunday, September 15, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of SVD’s presence in Thailand.
While the main celebration is scheduled to take place in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, northeastern Thailand, on September 28, the Bangkok community held a local event for those unable to make the 600 km journey to Nong Bua Lamphu.