Mission Animation, one of the four characteristic dimensions of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), has been a vital component of our missionary presence in the Botswana Province, which includes both Botswana and South Africa. Guided by the directives of the SVD Constitutions, the task of the Mission Secretary, and all the SVD confreres, our efforts over the past years have sought to form, animate, and inspire both confreres and lay partners to live the SVD charism with renewed zeal.

Formation of Lay Partners

From 2020 to 2025, the Province successfully established lay partner groups in various mission areas: Mal- amulele, Phalaborwa, Giyani, Polokwane and Leondale in South Africa. In Botswana, all SVD parishes and St.

Arnold School sent representatives to the orientation program for lay partners, followed by ongoing formation in several parishes. These groups received orientations on SVD spirituality, charism, and the founding generation. Some lay partner groups organize Bible activities and leading parish outreach programs for the poor. We sent a representative in district and AFRAM-wide activities, including representation at the 19th General Chapter .

Mission Animation for Confreres

Mission animation also extended to confreres, especially through online and in-person formation programs. The Province orga- nized annual webinars during Mission Month, featuring speakers such as former Superior General Fr. Paulus Budi Kleden, Fr. Stani- slaus Lazar, Fr. Steve Bevans, and Fr. Modeste Munimi, addressing themes like interculturality, missionary parish identity, commu- nication, and Trinitarian spirituality . Orientation for newly assigned confreres (“the under seven”) provided contextual grounding in the realities of the local Church and people, making mission orientation more concrete and life-giving .

Youth and Mission

Youth formation has been another priority. In 2022, a 4-day youth camp was organized for young people from SVD parishes in the Diocese of Tzaneen, including inputs on the SVD mission and spirituality . Online Bible quizzes, discernment talks, and parish-based youth programs further fostered missionary awareness among the young.

Mission Month and Celebrations

The Province celebrates Mission Month each September/October, with activities highlighting each of the characteristic dimen- sions, vocational promotion, and interculturality. Programs include Bible Days, JPIC outreach to marginalized communities, online evening prayers, webinars, parish-based liturgies, and cultural celebrations. These gatherings strengthen the missionary spirit among parishioners and confreres alike .

Challenges and Hopes

The dual-country reality of the Province brings logistical and financial challenges, but the use of digital platforms has enabled shared prayer, formation, and coordination across borders . Moving forward, the Province is committed to expanding lay partner groups, intensifying youth formation, and ensuring sustained collaboration between confreres, lay partners, and parish communi- ties, so that the missionary zeal of St. Arnold Janssen continues to inspire and animate God’s people.