Society
Of The Divine Word

Today, the Chapter participants convened in the meeting hall, each bringing their meticulously prepared SWOT Profiles (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of their respective zones: AFRAM, ASPAC, EUROPE, and PANAM. These profiles, the product of their dedicated efforts, formed the cornerstone of our discussions.

The participants embarked on a metaphorical journey, delving into the realities of the Society as depicted in the SWOT profiles. They moved to the Church, where paper panels for each zone displayed their SWOT profiles, including urgent red-flag issues. In a prayerful atmosphere, the Capitulars moved from panel to panel, immersing themselves in the SWOT details of each zone.

The SWOT profiles revealed diverse realities across the zones. Some issues were unique to specific zones, while others were common across multiple zones. What one zone saw as a strength, another viewed as an opportunity. A panel of Zonal coordinators discussed critical issues like human trafficking, migration, interculturality, and ongoing formation. These issues were grouped into related themes for clarity.

After engaging in small group discussions to gain a comprehensive view of the SWOT profiles, participants presented their invaluable insights on issues needing the Generalate’s attention. Key topics included formation, lay partners, the ecological crisis, and finance, each contribution playing a crucial role in our collective understanding.

In the afternoon, the lay partners of San Juan Bautista parish in Asuncion, Paraguay, organized a special prayer session via Zoom, with participation from the lay group Alma Misionera in Chile. The online prayer was well received by the Capitulars.

The day concluded with a collaborative effort to develop a global vision of the SVD reality across zones, resulting in a unified global SWOT profile for the Society of the Divine Word.