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Divine Word Missionaries Celebrate 150 Years of Foundation and 80 Years in Spain
Diego Echeverría
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Florencio Roselló, Archbishop of Pamplona and Tudela, and concelebrated by numerous Divine Word Missionaries, including Pedro de Dios, SVD Provincial Superior in Spain. During the liturgy, Brothers Douglas Silva a Cruz, Theovanus Jehadul, and Melkisedek Deni renewed their vows, a visible sign of the congregation’s enduring vitality.
A Jubilee Eucharist
The liturgy unfolded in an atmosphere of serene joy and deep gratitude for a history that, since 1875, has taken firm root in Navarra and across Spain. In his homily, Archbishop Roselló framed the anniversary with a twofold message: thanksgiving for the journey so far and a call to renew missionary commitment in light of today’s challenges.
He reminded the faithful that the Church’s mission “does not stop” and urged them to keep a universal outlook—one that recognizes and accompanies the new forms of poverty in our time: young people searching for meaning, the elderly longing for closeness, families in need of encouragement, migrants seeking welcome, and vulnerable people awaiting words and gestures of hope.
The Eucharist was enriched by the participation of choirs and liturgical teams, which gave the celebration a distinct intercultural character, so typical of the Divine Word family.
Commitment to Mission
A particularly moving moment came with the renewal of vows by the three brothers, demonstrating that the Verbite charism continues to inspire generous and persevering dedication today.
Afterward, Provincial Superior Pedro de Dios introduced the month’s missionary collection, dedicated to the Maternity Hospital in Katende (Democratic Republic of Congo), a project supported by the SVD together with the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He highlighted the urgent need for medicines, electricity, and incubators for childbirth and premature infants, inviting all present to collaborate generously: “Let us make it possible for these mothers to give birth safely.”
A Shared Celebration of Community, Culture, and Gratitude
Following the Mass, the celebration moved outside the church, where the Virgen del Puy–San Andrés dance group of Estella performed a lively festival in honor of the anniversary. Music and dance brought a popular note to the day, which was lived as a true community gathering involving families, youth, pastoral agents, and local neighbours.
Later, all participants shared a fraternal meal—an opportunity for conversation, reunion, and continued festivity, as well as a chance to greet missionaries and volunteers who made the event possible.
On behalf of the congregation, heartfelt thanks were expressed to Archbishop Roselló for his closeness and leadership, to the concelebrating priests, parish teams, religious communities, and everyone who helped prepare and organize the celebration. Special recognition was given to Editorial Verbo Divino for its logistical support, as well as to various ecclesial groups in the diocese.
Looking Back with Gratitude, Forward with Hope
The Villatuerta event concluded a year of celebrations held in parishes and dioceses where the SVD is present. It offered a vivid summary of the charism the congregation shares with the Church: proclaiming the Word through deeds and words, caring for life in its most fragile stages, accompanying educational and pastoral initiatives, and weaving bonds of fraternity across geographical and cultural boundaries.
The day left behind powerful images of prayer and joy—the packed church, the emotion of families, the brothers’ vocational witness, the dances in the plaza, and the fellowship around the table. Together, they encapsulated the meaning of the 150th anniversary Jubilee and the 80 years of SVD presence in Spain: grateful memory, living presence, and renewed missionary sending.
Looking ahead, the SVD reaffirmed its commitment to continue serving people and communities wherever the Church sends them, with the same trust that inspired the first missionaries and continues to sustain those who carry this mission forward today.
