On the occasion of the Sesquicentennial Jubilee of the Foundation of our Society, I am delighted to present the revised edition of our Constitutions that incorporates the amendments made by the 19th General Chapter of 2024.

These changes reflect our ongoing journey of discernment as a religious missionary congregation. Rooted in the Divine Word, they express our desire to respond faithfully to the signs of the times, deepening our commitment to justice, inclusiveness, accountability and communion.

There are several minor yet meaningful additions to the Constitutions that make explicit our sensitivity to ecological concerns and affirm our commitment to integral mission and care for our common home. Some aspects of our updated policies on safeguarding (c. 602.1 & c 611.9) and financial management (c. 212.9 & c. 722.h) are reflected in the new additions to the directories of the respective Constitutions. The changes effected in c. 612.1-2 is in tune with the can 127 §1 that provides for emergency consultations in the decision-making process by using computerized and telematic means.

The amendments to c. 636.8 & c. 637.1 deal with the competence of the Superior General to appoint Brothers to positions of leadership in the Society, in some cases, after having received written permission from the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Some changes are also made regarding Separation from the Society, such as the length of voluntary exclaustration (c. 715) and grounds for automatic dismissal (c. 720). The directive added to c. 205, clarifies that adoption is incompatible with our consecrated way of life (can 285 §§1-2).

I believe that these constitutional changes will enable us to be more authentic disciples and respond to the call of Missio Dei more faithfully and creatively in the true spirit of synodality.

Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro, SVD
Superior General
Rome, September 8, 2025