Biblical Apostolate Coordinators from SVD provinces across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Penang, Malaysia, recently for a Zonal Assembly.

The Assembly featured keynote speakers, along with time for sharing among the Biblical Apostolate Coordinators about their joys and challenges in living and promoting the Word of God in their own local contexts.

Fr Elmer Ibarra SVD of the Australia Province gave the opening address in his capacity as ASPAC Biblical Apostolate Zonal Coordinator ahead of a keynote address from SVD’s General Biblical Coordinator Fr Wojciech Szypula SVD.

Fr Wojciech spoke on the topic of ‘The Word of God in the SVD Constitutional Tradition’, reminding those present of the foundational role of the Divine Word not only in St Arnold Janssen’s naming of his missionary Society, but also in its Constitutions.

“The Word of God is so central to the Divine Word Missionaries,” Fr Elmer said.

“The Biblical Apostolate is among the Four Characteristic Dimensions of the Society of the Divine Word. And of course, even in our name, it is right there, front and centre. As we say, ‘Our Name is Our Mission’, and we spoke about how we can continue to live that out in our own contexts, as per the request of the last General Chapter.

“Without the Biblical ministry, then what is our anchor? What is the basis of what we are doing as Divine Word Missionaries if we don’t have the Word at the centre of things?”

On the second day, Fr Wojciech spoke about SVD Bible Sharing Method and the SVD Generalate’s Biblical projects.

Also delivering a keynote address during the Assembly was Fr Jan Stefanow SVD the Secretary of the Catholic Biblical Federation.

“Fr Jan spoke about the activities of the CBF and how it is contributing to the world and in the Church, giving us essentially the Vatican’s current viewpoint on the Biblical Apostolate through the CBF,” Fr Elmer said.

The Assembly delegates also heard from Ms Jessica Retnasamy, the Coordinator of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Christian formation process for children aged 3 to 12 years, with the central aim being to help the child nurture their own personal relationship with God. It is grounded in scripture and the liturgy of the Church, and framed by the Montessori principles of education, allowing children to hear the Gospel through the use of sensorially rich materials.

Fr Elmer said the Assembly program also included an excursion around Penang, featuring a visit to the Basilica of St Anne and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, followed by a lunch of Malaysian food specialties.

He said that one of the highlights of the Assembly for him was the time of sharing among the ASPAC Biblical Apostolate Coordinators.

“I think the highlight for me personally was just being together,” he said. “All the conference participants came from different places, including Japan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor.

“So, the mere fact that we took time off from our ministries to meet in Assembly together and just to catch up with how everybody is doing and sharing our own joys and struggles and challenges of doing the Biblical Apostolate. I think for me that would be the highlight.

“Because some of us have been doing this for quite a few years now and so we know each other quite well. And we’re still at it, and we’re still passionate about the Bible, and it’s good to hear how this Apostolate within the SVD is being carried out in all these various places of our region.”

Fr Elmer said that in his report on the AUS Province he spoke about the Biblical Apostolate initiatives in place, such as the weekly production of The Word missalette, the growth of the online Bible sharing group which was begun during Covid, but now continues to thrive, and the posting of weekly Bible reflections on social media.

Fr Elmer said the Assembly also formulated an Action Plan with new resolutions and recommendations for the triennium 2026-28.

Among the resolutions were recommendations to create networks for confreres and lay partners to assist the Biblical Coordinator in carrying out Biblical Apostolates in the various areas; adopting the recommendation of the SVD General Chapter in Rome to promote in a creative way ‘Our Name is our Mission’ in the activities of the Biblical Apostolate of the Divine Word Missionaries; and a commitment to further work being done towards hosting a Dei Verbum Biblical Course in the ASPAC region in an effort to make it more affordable and accessible for both SVD missionaries and lay partners to attend than the current course in Nemi, Italy.

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: The gathering included SVDs engaged in the Biblical Apostolate from across the Asia-Pacific region.

MIDDLE LEFT: Celebrating Mass during the conference.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Some delegates pictured enjoying a traditional Malaysian meal during their tour of Penang.