A Journey of Hope in a Wounded World

PAG-ASA is the Filipino word for hope. Ironically, it is also the name of the Philippines’ meteo rological forecasting agency, which often brings news of approaching typhoons and impending destruction. This dual meaning reflects the paradox of hope – emerging even in the face of adversity.

For the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis consigned the Bull of Indiction, Spes non confudit. “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). He envisions a pilgrimage of hope, both for those traveling to Rome and for those celebrating in their local Churches. Pilgrimages, after all, symbolize humanity’s search for meaning and deeper faith.

At its core, Christian hope is deeply rooted in faith and the certainty of God’s love, which accompanies His people on their journey. This hope is sustained by the Holy Spirit who keeps it alive in the hearts of believers even in times of suffering and uncertainty.

Hope in the midst of the wounded world

Following the Generalate’s motto for this sexennium, “Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World,” two mission commitments of the SVDs become real and challenging:

Standing in solidarity with the wounded and bringing healing and transformation

SVD missionaries often serve in regions afflicted by war, conflict, ecological devastation, and human suffering (1 Timothy 6:10). These crises stem from a culture of domination, discrimination, and greed, which marginalizes millions and exposes them to vulnerability and exploitation.

A passive, detached stance – a refusal to acknowledge the suffering around us – risks turning religious life into a place of sanctuary and indifference, isolating us from the very compassion we seek to embody. Instead, genuine mission work requires deep engagement with people, standing alongside them in their hardships. It is through this solidarity that hope becomes a tangible sign of God’s love and redemption.

Witnessing Christ’s presence among all peoples and cultures

To love is to be present. The Divine Word is not only proclaimed but lived out through action – by attentively listening and encountering people wherever they are. This presence manifests itself in remote villages, bustling cities, learning centers, and even digital platforms. Through dialogue, education, pastoral care, and other ministries, Divine Word Missionaries reveal the truth that God is among us – a constant presence who never abandons His people.

Sustaining hope through prayer and faith

In facing challenges, the SVD missionary does not rely solely on himself or his community but turns to God in prayer and faith. This encounter with the Divine is the foundation of guidance and strength – the same devotion that Saint Arnold Janssen lived throughout his life: “I want to be a servant of the Divine Word.”

Ultimately, an SVD mission assignment is not merely a geographical placement or a responsibility for a particular community, it is, at its heart, a pilgrimage of hope – a journey as a faithful and creative disciple of the Light in a wounded world.

Fr. Superior General Anselmo Ribeiro, SVD
and the Leadership Team