As Divine Word Missionaries, our participation in the Missio Dei springs from the mystery of the Trinity. In the Triune God we find the foundation of our spirituality and mission. The Word of God—present in Scripture, history, tradition, Church teaching, and the People of God—gives meaning, direction, and strength to our existence.

Rooted in this Word, we are particularly called at this moment in history to be creative disciples. This implies being active, vigilant, innovative, hardworking, and open to finding new answers and paths. The creativity required by our apostolate is an extension of God’s ongoing creative action. He continues to recreate and transform reality, and our collaboration with the Missio Dei is, by its very nature, a call to creativity.

As Divine Word Missionaries, this creativity is expressed through the four characteristic dimensions of our mission: Bible Apostolate, Mission Animation, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, and Communication.

From this particular sensitivity, the Gospel reminds us that the faithfulness of Jesus of Nazareth became a source of resurrection for humanity and for all creation.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for he has risen” (Mt 28:5-6).

In the context of this joyful announcement of the resurrection, we identify with the community of disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. Like these fearful disciples, we too feel called by Him to renew again and again our contemplative gaze on the event of Calvary, not as a sign of despondency and defeat, but as the word of life that God pronounces eternally. It is an announcement that urges us to set out on the road, to reject closed-mindedness and stubbornness, to fix our eyes not on human frailty but on the transforming power of Easter.

To return to Galilee—where the mission of Jesus first began—means to resume the path of discipleship, which is total self-giving and the promise of fullness of life in God. Always rooted in the word of Jesus, the Crucified and Risen One, we leave behind the Sabbath of doubts, fears, denial, and abandonment, and we turn toward the light of life, shared discernment, community journey, discipleship fidelity, and missionary creativity.

We understand that Jesus’ Easter is the path we must walk, not just an event to celebrate. Our discipleship is discerned on our knees and walked in our daily lives. Missionary creativity happens when human pain pierces us and pulls us out of our comfort zone to place us in the midst of the wounded people.

Jesus invites us to launch ourselves ever more deeply into the adventure of living our lives as gospel. And since all people are invited to walk this same path, we see ourselves as companions and witnesses. Our mission becomes a passion for humanity—ever renewed, transfigured, and recreated in the light of the Risen Lord. Our life is our mission, and our mission is life.

The Generalate Leadership Team.