Reading the Jubilee Theme of SVD, “Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere for Everyone” in the Light of Evangelii Gaudium
Reading the Jubilee Theme of SVD, “Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere for Everyone” in the Light of Evangelii Gaudium
SVD Mission in Contexts: Creative Responses in a Wounded World
Herlina Hadia, SSpS
Rooted in the charism of St. Arnold Janssen, the Society of the Divine Word known as SVD has always emphasized bringing the Word of God with joy to those who have not yet heard it, especially among the poor and marginalized. In today’s rapidly changing world, the mission of evangelization faces both new challenges and new opportunities. Cultural shifts, religious indifference, and growing social inequalities call for a renewed approach to proclaiming the Gospel—one that is not only rooted in tradition but also responsive to the signs of the times. The SVD, with its intercultural and international character, is uniquely positioned to respond to this call.
As they celebrate the 150th anniversary of their foundation, it is a meaningful time to revisit the call to be “witnesses to the Light from everywhere for everyone”—a call to become renewed missionaries that deeply resonates with Pope Francis’ vision of a renewed joyful and outward-looking Church. In Evangelii Gaudium, the Pope urges the faithful to become missionary disciples who are not afraid to go to the peripheries, bringing the light of Christ to those most in need. This spirit of joyful outreach is at the heart of the SVD’s missionary identity, making the jubilee not just a celebration of the past, but a renewed commitment to the future of mission in a wounded yet hopeful world.
My reflection, therefore, explores how the SVD’s jubilee theme aligns with the key principles of EG, which will be divided into three parts. The first part is the overview of EG to provide a clear foundation for understanding the connections I will later draw with the SVD’s jubilee theme. The second part presents the discussion on the jubilee theme of SVD as missionary option in the Spirit of EG; and in last part, I will address the call of Pope Francis to all missionaries to a transformative evangelization.
