Divine Word Missionary communities around the AUS Province celebrated SVD Foundation Day on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary this month, marking 143 years since St Arnold Janssen opened the first SVD Mission House in Steyl, Holland. 

He could no doubt never have envisaged on that day that by 2018 the SVD would have more than 6000 members worldwide, serving in 80 countries, including a Province stretching from Australia to New Zealand, Thailand and Myanmar.

January has been a big month of prayer and thanksgiving at Divine Word Missionary communities throughout the AUS Province with the celebration of not one but two SVD saints’ feast days.

Both of the SVD saints, St Arnold Janssen and St Joseph Freinademetz, have their feast days in January, prompting SVD and SSpS communities to come together for special Eucharistic Celebrations and gatherings.

As you can understand, Fr John has asked me to preach the Feast Day Homily of our Founder, St Arnold Janssen. It is an honour to be asked, so thank Fr John.

Father Arnold, that’s how we know him, was a man of vision, dedication and stubborn commitment. He was born nearly 200 hundred years ago on the border of Germany and Holland. He became a priest, a teacher, publisher, and a man fired with a desire for the Germans to do something for the foreign missions. Till then there was no German foreign mission foundation.

This month, we have joined Divine Word Missionaries across the world in celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Society’s foundation.

Anniversaries such as this remind us that as missionaries in consecrated life, we have both a rich heritage and a shared future. Engaged in Christ’s mission together, we are part of something much greater than ourselves.