The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) is a Roman Catholic missionary congregation founded by St. Arnold Janssen in 1875. Our charism is to proclaim the Word of God to all peoples, especially where the Gospel has not yet been heard. We are committed to crossing boundaries—cultural, religious, and social—to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to life in diverse contexts around the world.

The mission of the SVD is shaped by four Characteristic Dimensions, which guide our life and ministry:

• Mission Animation – We inspire and involve the Church in its universal mission.
• Biblical Apostolate – We promote the reading, study, and sharing of Sacred Scripture.
• Communication – We use media and communication to evangelize and foster dialogue.
• Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) – We commit to transforming the world through advocacy for justice, peace, and care for creation.

These dimensions are not separate tasks but integral to everything we do as missionaries.

Prophetic Dialogue

At the heart of our approach is Prophetic Dialogue—a respectful and humble encounter with others, especially the poor, people of different cultures and faiths, and those on the margins. As missionaries, we listen deeply, learn from others, and witness to the Gospel with compassion and courage. Through dialogue, we seek mutual transformation and the presence of God in every encounter.