Society
Of The Divine Word

Despite multiple suspensions and postponements caused by recent calamities, the much-anticipated SVD Day and the Launching of the 150^th year founding anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) finally took place at Divine Word College of Laoag, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines last October 4, 2024. The celebration also included the opening of the Rosary Month and the School’s Teacher’s Month Celebration. The school community gathered filled with the spirit of thanksgiving and unity for St. Arnold Janssen’s legacy and inspiration.

The celebration of the launching was initially postponed several times due to natural calamities that struck the region. However, God’s providence led Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL) to gather its faculty, staff, and students to honor this momentous occasion on the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. The day’s activities began with a Living Rosary, where students, faculty, and staff joined together in prayer, opening the month dedicated to the Rosary. This was followed by a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Jhun Joel L. Templa, SVD, the Vice-President for Administration, offering thanksgiving for the many blessings the SVD and the DWCL community has received in its 150-year history.

After the Holy Mass, a short tribute was held to honor the SVD missionaries who have faithfully served at Divine Word College of Laoag over the years. Their commitment and dedication to education, mission, and the spreading of God’s Word were recognized and celebrated. The event continued with the unveiling of the official logo for the 150 Years Celebration. The logo symbolizes the enduring spirit of the SVD’s missionary work and the ongoing mission to be a “light to all nations.

In addition to the anniversary celebration, Divine Word College of Laoag gave tribute to teachers in celebration of the Teacher’s Month. Faculty members were acknowledged for their steadfast dedication to their vocation, shaping both the minds of their students and nurturing them to become responsible members of society.

As part of the activities celebrating the 150 years of the SVD, the school also launched the AYWAN-TAENG (Care for the Home) DIVINE PROJECT, a strategic initiative inspired by the principles of Laudato Si’, the encyclical of Pope Francis that emphasizes care for our common home. This project, rooted in the SVD’s distinct characteristic dimension, aims to engage the Divine Word community in promoting Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). The initiative invites all Divinians—students, faculty, and staff—to actively embody their commitment to these principles, encouraging sustainability and the responsible stewardship of creation.

As Divine Word College of Laoag moves forward, it commits to living out the mission of being light to others, especially in the field of education. The launching of the 150^th founding anniversary of the Society of the Divine Word is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a time to look back with gratitude to St. Arnold Janssen for founding the Society of the Divine Word, for inspiring many missionaries, at the same time, it is time to look forward with hope and determination to continue the mission of bringing light to all people.

As the celebrations continue, Divine Word College of Laoag remains committed to its mission of providing quality Catholic education imbued with faith, service, and a commitment to justice and peace, ensuring that the legacy of the Society of the Divine Word lives on in the hearts of its community.

Jhun Joel Templa, SVD