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Faith, Culture, and Mission: International Meeting of Anthropos and Education in Brazil
Joachim Andrade, SVD
Director of Anthropos Brazil
The event brought together missionaries, educators, and collaborators to reflect on the relationship between faith, culture, and mission in the light of contemporary challenges. It was graced by the presence of Fr. Roger Schroeder SVD, Director of the International Anthropos Institute, and Fr. John Anthony Szukalski SVD, Assistant Secretary for Education at the SVD Generalate in Rome.
Exploring Mission and Anthropology
The meeting was jointly organized by Anthropos Brazil and the Rede Verbita of Education in Brazil, who prepared the program and themes to help contextualize the SVD charism in today’s missionary realities.
Fr. Leonardo Gade SVD, Subzonal Coordinator, opened the session, followed by Fr. Joachim Andrade SVD, who outlined the objectives and challenges of translating the SVD missionary spirit into new contexts. The sessions took the form of round-table discussions, creating space for dialogue among participants representing various missionary dimensions.
Presenters included confreres active in Biblical Apostolate, Communication, Mission Animation, and Frontier Ministries such as work among the homeless, indigenous peoples, and in the field of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
During the meeting, the authors Nicolau Baker, Djalma da Silva, and Joachim Andrade presented the history of the SVD in Brazil, as documented in their book Nos passos de Santo Arnaldo: 130 anos de presença verbita no Brasil, launched earlier at the SVD Congress in Santa Isabel on September 8, 2025.
Dialogue Across Disciplines
The encounter was profoundly interdisciplinary, drawing together multiple areas of reflection to contextualize the same missionary call. A major highlight was the presence of all the Provincials of the Brazilian Subzone, who shared their provincial realities—joys, challenges, and perspectives—and requested continued collaboration with Anthropos in the formation and missionary accompaniment of new missionaries.
Among the notable presentations were those by Fr. Ademar Kaefer SVD and Fr. Agostinho Siyukur SVD on the Biblical Apostolate, emphasizing its academic contributions, the outreach of the Centro Bíblico across Brazil, and itinerant parish-based programs.
Br. Paulo Eugênio de Lima SVD and Fr. Cristóvão Gonçalves da Silva SVD spoke about Communication as Mission, inviting participants to communicate authentically from personal encounter and witness. Frs. Milan Knezovic, Omir Oliveira, and Fernando Doren reflected on new missionary frontiers and contexts calling for renewed presence and creativity.
The JPIC dimension was brought to life by Br. Mauro Olavo Mendes Filho, who works with street waste pickers in Belo Horizonte; Fr. João Maria Ferreira, engaged with indigenous communities in Paraná; and Fr. José Boeing, serving in the Amazon. Fr. Nicolau Baker also shared his experience of promoting justice and peace amid challenges in São Paulo. Together, their testimonies highlighted the urgency of frontier mission in Brazil’s contemporary Church.
The participation of Msgr. Norberto Foerster, Bishop of Ji-Paraná in Rondônia, added further depth to the discussions. His reflections and simple, prayerful presence enriched the spiritual atmosphere of the meeting.
Voices from Anthropos International and Education
Fr. Roger Schroeder offered a historical overview of Anthropos International, tracing its growth from its foundation to the present, and highlighting anthropology centers around the world that serve intercultural mission.
Fr. John Anthony Szukalski presented insights on education within the Congregation, underscoring its vital role in forming missionaries for intercultural dialogue and service.
Representatives of the Rede Verbita of Education in Brazil, Priscila R. Lauro Miranda and Giovane Aguiar, presented the current educational landscape and ongoing efforts to integrate SVD values into Brazilian educational institutions.
Culture, Celebration, and Hospitality
Two cultural evenings organized by the Rede Verbita added color and warmth to the meeting. In Belo Horizonte, a dialogue among former students and teachers highlighted how their SVD education shaped their professional and social lives. In Juiz de Fora, Prof. Dr. Mabel Salgado Pereira presented the history of the Divine Word Missionaries’ arrival in the city and their impact on the local Church. The evening concluded with a theatrical performance by the Artistic Nucleus of Uni-Academia, celebrating the SVD’s contribution to education and culture.
The North Brazilian Province (BRN) hosted participants with generosity, offering traditional Minas Gerais cuisine, a visit to Congonhas, and attentive logistical support that embodied true SVD hospitality.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded with a shared sense of purpose and collaboration across provinces. Participants emphasized the importance of thinking and acting not as individual provinces but as a united subzone, strengthening joint missionary initiatives.
Anthropos Brazil will play a key role in following up on the outcomes of this International Meeting—promoting reflection, articulation, and action at both provincial and subzonal levels.
As the SVD celebrates its 150th year, this encounter reminded all that the mission of the Word continues to grow through dialogue between faith, culture, and education—a dialogue that brings light to both the Church and the world.
