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Saint Arnold Janssen

Founder of the Congregation of the Word of God

Saint Józef Freinademetz

The first Verbist missionary, apostle of China

2

Countries

195

Verbists in Ghanan & Liberia

25

Parishes

The Charisma and Spirituality of the Verbists

Explore Our Charisms

Learn about the core values and spiritual focus that guide the Verbists in their mission.

Preaching the Word of God

The Verbists are committed to preaching the Word of God through various means of evangelization. Their mission is to spread the Good News and bring people closer to Christ.

Openness to the Signs of the Times

Being attentive to the evolving needs of society, the Verbists stay open to the signs of the times, discerning where their mission is most needed in today's world.

Evangelical Counsels

The Verbists live according to the Evangelical Counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, which guide their commitment to a life of service and devotion to God.

Internationalism

As an international congregation, the Verbists work across borders and cultures, fostering unity and mutual understanding in the service of God.

Our Journey Through Time

Explore key milestones and significant moments in the rich history of the Society of the Divine Word.

Founding and Early Beginnings

1875 - 1879

Sept. 8, 1875 – The Society of the Divine Word is founded in Steyl, Holland. Jan. 1876 – The first issue of Stadt Gottes is published. Mar. 2, 1879 – The first missionaries, Fr. John B. Anzer, SVD, and Fr. Joseph Freinademetz, SVD, are missioned to China.

Early Missionary Expansion

1883 - 1892

1883 – The first SVD Brothers leave for the missions in China. 1889 – The first missionaries from Steyl leave for missions in Argentina. Dec. 8, 1889 – The Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit open their first foundation at Steyl, Holland. 1892 – Missionaries leave for Togo, Africa.

Rapid Global Expansion and Milestones

1888 - 1936

1888-1913 – Rapid expansion with new houses established at St. Raphael’s College in Rome (1888), St. Gabriel’s Mission House in Austria (1889), St. Wendel’s in Germany (1889), St. Mary’s Mission House in Techny, IL, USA (1909), and St. Augustine’s in Germany (1913). 1923 – The SVD opened St. Augustine’s Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the first seminary in the United States for African-American men to study for the priesthood. 1936 – Missionaries leave for India.

Formation and Development of SVD Institutions

1895 - 1912

1895 – Brother Wendelin Meyer, SVD, is the first Divine Word Missionary sent to the United States. Dec. 8, 1896 – The Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration open their first foundation at Steyl, Holland. 1896 – Missionaries leave for Papua New Guinea. 1909 – The first seminary in the United States, known as Techny, is opened north of Chicago. 1912 – Missionaries leave for Indonesia.

SVD Leadership and Major Developments

1946 - 1998

Feb. 18, 1946 – Consecration of Thomas Cardinal Tien Ken-sin, SVD, Archbishop of Beijing and first Chinese Cardinal. Jan. 6, 1966 – Bishop Harold Perry, SVD, becomes the first recognized Afro-American Bishop in the United States. 1985 – Fr. Joseph Tri Vu, SVD, becomes the first Vietnamese priest to be ordained as an SVD. 1998 – The St. Joseph Congregation of Brothers merges with the Society of the Divine Word, extending a strong SVD presence in Vietnam.

Canonization and Modern Expansion

2003

2003 – First SVD house established in Russia. Oct. 5, 2003 – Arnold Janssen and Joseph Freinademetz are canonized in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

The Gold Coast Mission

In the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 16 Paul had a vision of a Macedonian who urged him in these words: “Come across to Macedonia and help us.” That was the way in which the Holy Spirit inspired the early Christian Church to launch its missionary apostolate to Asia Minor and Europe. The call for the SVD to go to the Gold Coast came in 1938 when the Society of the African Missions, the SMA, which had pioneered in bringing the Catholic faith to West Africa… Know more

Called to Serve? Join the Divine Word Missionaries!

Do you feel a deep desire to share God’s Word and serve others? The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) invites young men to discern their vocation and embark on a journey of faith, service, and mission.

📖 Begin your path to priesthood and religious life.
🙏 Answer the call today!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Meet Our Provincial Council

Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD

Provincial Superior

Fr. Cyprian Kuupol leads the mission of the SVD in the province, overseeing religious and administrative duties.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Dogodzi, SVD

Vice Provincial

Fr. Stephen Dogodzi plays a key role in managing daily operations and providing leadership support.

Br. Charles Eshun SVD

Admonitor

Br. Charles Ashun oversees important community and operational tasks, ensuring smooth administrative processes.

Rev. Fr. Ignatius Otusafo, SVD

Treasurer

Fr. Ignatius Otusafo manages financial resources and oversees proper allocation for mission operations.

Rev. Fr. Marek Dabrowski, SVD

Councilor

Fr. Marek Dabrowski plays a crucial role in guiding the spiritual and administrative efforts of the community.

Rev. Fr. Jojo Monnoth, SVD