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Bishops, priests, and Divine Word Missionaries gather after the Eucharistic celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the SVD and 20 years of missionary presence in Costa Rica—an expression of unity, faith, and commitment to the Word.

A Historic Day: Faith, Memory, and Gratitude at the Parish of the Divine Word

Samuel Wekin, SVD

On June 15, the SVD parish community in David, Panama, experienced a deeply meaningful and emotional day. As part of the 150th anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word—which providentially coincided with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity—the parish gathered to celebrate a Eucharist marked by faith, living memory, and missionary hope.

The Holy Mass was presided over by Monsignor Luis Enrique Saldaña Guerra, OFM, Bishop of the Diocese of David, and concelebrated by Monsignor Edgardo Cedeño, SVD; CAM Regional Superior Fr. Mateo Yeng, SVD; parish priest Fr. Eugenio Agyapong, SVD; along with several Divine Word missionaries, deacons, and a parish community that participated with fervor, gratitude, and joy.

During the celebration, the unveiling and blessing of the bust of Monsignor Ambrosio Lewis, SVD, took place. He was the first Black bishop in Panama and Latin America—a shepherd close to the heart of the Panamanian people and an exemplary figure of service, dedication, and embodied faith. Fr. Luis Antonio Vergara, SVD, author of the biographical work Monsignor Ambrosio Lewis, First Black Bishop in Panama and Latin America, shared a few words highlighting the humble, steadfast, and profoundly missionary witness of Bishop Lewis.

In that same spirit, the new Monsignor Ambrosio Lewis Hall was also blessed—a space dedicated to formation, fraternal gathering, and community life that perpetuates the memory of one who knew how to shepherd with both gentleness and strength.

At the conclusion of the liturgy, the community shared a fraternal toast—an expression of unity and thanksgiving to God for this historic moment that links the fruitful past with the committed present of a vibrant, missionary parish.

Thus, on this radiant day, the Parish of the Divine Word renewed its commitment to proclaim the Gospel with joy, in the spirit of Saint Arnold Janssen, remembering with hope that many faces can beat with one heart.

Bishops, priests, and Divine Word Missionaries gather after the Eucharistic celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the SVD and 20 years of missionary presence in Costa Rica—an expression of unity, faith, and commitment to the Word.
Bishop Luis Enrique Saldaña Guerra, OFM, blesses the newly unveiled bust of Monsignor Ambrosio Lewis, SVD—Panama and Latin America’s first Black bishop—during a special Eucharistic celebration in David, Panama.
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