The Society of the Divine Word, also known as Divine Word Missionaries, Verbites, or the Steyler Missionaries, is a missionary religious congregation in the Latin Church, one of the churches that make up the Catholic Church. Consisting of priests and brothers, the Society of the Divine Word is the largest missionary congregation in the Catholic Church. The Society was founded in 1875, in Steyl, the Netherlands, by Father Arnold Janssen, the diocesan priest who also founded two sister congregations: the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, and a contemplative branch known as the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration. Saint Janssen was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003. The Society was originally made up mostly of German priests and religious exiles in the Netherlands, at the time of a church-state conflict in Germany known as the Kulturkampf, in which several religious groups were expelled from Germany. In 1882, the Society began sending missionaries to the Shandong Province of China, where their aggressive evangelization was part of the events that led to the Boxer Uprising in the 1890s. Missionaries were sent to Togo in 1892, and their work was so successful that an Apostolic prefect was appointed for Togo within fifteen years. Other early mission areas included German New Guinea, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, La Plata, and Paraná, all of which are now archdioceses, further expanding their missionary field during the 20th century. Within the Divine Word Missionaries, mission areas are not the sole responsibility of individual provinces, but of the whole Society, and members are appointed to serve wherever the are needed. Many SVD communities are international in character. Members of the Society of the Divine Word take the three traditional Catholic religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Within the community, all possessions are held in common, and no member may accumulate wealth.
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Owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word, DWC is a Roman Catholic seminary that prepares students for missionary service as priests, brothers, sisters, and laypeople, offering baccalaureate degrees and ESL classes to other Catholic religious missionaries. Located in Epworth, Iowa, the college is within the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Its admissions policies, academic, student life and vocational services are defined.
http://www.dwci.edu/
The Divine Word Missionaries were founded by Father Arnold Janssen in 1875. Its mission center in Techny, Illinois offers a history and profile of the Catholic missionary Order, and publishes Divine Word Magazine, which may be ordered through the site, with archives of past issues available. Mass and prayer requests may be made through the site, and its work in several areas is defined.
https://www.svdmissions.org/
Members of the Society of the Divine Word preach the Gospel and share the Word of God through living, working, teaching, and sharing with others. The largest international Catholic missionary congregation in the world, the Divine Word Missionaries were founded by Saint Arnold Janssen. Its National Vocation Office for the United States and the Caribbean is located at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa.
http://www.svdvocations.org/
Society of the Divine Word, Australian Province
The Society is an international community of Catholic priests and brothers, founded in 1875 by Saint Arnold Janssen, a German priest. The Australian Province of the Divine Word Missionaries includes Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. A profile of the Order and Province is put forth, along with its locations, contacts, and a calendar of events. Vocational information is included.
http://www.divineword.com.au/
Society of the Divine Word, Chicago Province
Founded in 1875, the Society is the largest Roman Catholic Order of missionary priests and brothers. A directory of office, department and ministry sites are featured, along with contacts and office hours. A profile of the Order is presented, including an overview of its membership policies and procedures for becoming a member. Private logins for members and alumni are included.
http://www.divineword.org/
Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province of St. Augustine
The home base for the Southern Province of the Divine Word Missionaries is in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, while the Province staffs African-American and Hispanic parishes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, and Florida. The Saint Augustine Seminary and Retreat Center are featured, and an overview of its ministries, missions and programs is put forth, with photos and video.
http://www.svdsouth.com/
Society of the Divine Word, Western Province USA
The multi-cultural religious community was founded by Saint Arnold Janssen, and its Western Province is divided into five districts: North, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, the Riverside Residence, and San Diego. The parishes in each district are identified, with addresses and contacts. The ministries of the Order and its lay missionaries are outlined, and photos and video are available.
http://www.svdusw.org/
Techny, Illinois, a northern Chicago suburb, is the North American headquarters of the Society of the Divine Word, whose members are sometimes referred to as Verbites. Techny was the place where the first Verbite missionaries sent to the United States by their founder, Saint Arnold Janssen, settled in 1896, and where the Society’s mission office, a retreat and conference center, administrative headquarters, and residence are located. Each of its facilities, and programs are discussed here.
http://www.techny.org/
The World of the Divine Word Missionaries
Maintained by the Curia Generalizia SVD in Rome, the site offers a detailed profile and history of the Order, and access to various official notices, circulars and documents. SVD zones and provinces are defined, and the brother’s formation process is set forth. Other resources include a biblical ministries directory, newsletters, liturgical documents, and an overview of its justice and peace issues and projects.
http://www.svdcuria.org/
