Who Are The Devine Word Missionary (SVD)

The order was founded in 1875 by a German priest, Saint Arnold Janssen, to preach the Gospel and live its message with people in other lands. Today Divine Word Missionaries come from all over the world, working together to help the most disadvantaged of God’s children in 80 countries on five continents.

Based on their education and formation, Divine Word Missionary priests and brothers live interculturally with other members of the SVD as well as the poor and neglected. You will find them working with orphaned children in India, victims of HIV-AIDS in Thailand as well as youth groups in inner city Chicago.
You will also find Divine Word Missionaries holding leadership positions within the congregation, teaching in institutions of higher learning and collaborating with lay people to advance the cause of peace and justice.

Brief History of the Devine Word Missionary (SVD).

In 1875, during the height of European colonialism, Saint Arnold Janssen founded his missionary order, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), in Steyl, Netherlands. From humble beginnings, the SVD has grown into the largest international missionary congregation in the Catholic Church.
Born in Goch, Germany into a devoutly Catholic family, Saint Arnold was greatly influenced by the faith of his father, who revered the Holy Trinity, and the Word Incarnate. These would become integral to SVD spirituality and charism, and because of his devotion to the Word of God, Saint Arnold named his missionary society, “Divine Word.”
Educated in math and science, Saint Arnold was ordained in 1861 and became a teacher. A few years later, he joined the Apostleship of Prayer League and in 1873, left teaching to focus on his duties as its director. He found success in writing and eventually published a magazine, Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart, which helped him discover that not only could he raise money through his publications, but German Catholics supported the missions. Many of the colonial powers, like France and Italy, had missions to their colonies, but Germany did not. In fact under the government of Otto von Bismarck, Catholicism was being repressed.
Encouraged to create a German-sending missionary order, he attracted three young candidates to travel with him across the German border, to a former inn in Steyl, Netherlands, where he founded the Society of the Divine Word on September 8, 1875.
Two of the three left over a disagreement with Saint Arnold, who insisted each member of his society be bound by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.The norm in other countries at the time was for missionary societies to be made up of diocesan priests, who were only bound to the society by a promise to serve in the missions.
After the two left, however, word spread that there was a German missionary society in Steyl, and candidates came in numbers. Before the first year was done, Saint Arnold had to add on to the little inn. Over the next five years, he had to add four new buildings, all to accommodate the growing number of men interested in serving in the missions.

What Divine Word Missionaries Do

Divine Word Missionary priests and brothers are men of prayer and faith. Each has been called to a unique vocation, spreading the Word of God where the Gospel has not yet been preached, or where the local church is not yet viable. Their emphasis on interculturalism, education and professional skills enables them to minister throughout the world in a variety of ways:

pastoral and sacramental ministries
educational and religious training
evangelization
youth, adult and family services
healthcare
seminary formation
counseling and chaplaincy
peace and justice