Society
Of The Divine Word

Guided by the 150th Jubilee theme, “Witnessing to the Light,” and facilitated by Elias Aiyako and Peter Kim, the event became a defining moment of unity, strengthened identity, and renewed commitment to the shared mission of the Lay Partners.

Previously, Lay Partners often worked independently in their own districts (nabaut nabaut). This workshop brought them together in a way that symbolically “put on one uniform”—not in clothing, but in spirit. The phrase captured the deeper reality of becoming one family in faith and mission, united in their call to proclaim the Word.

The workshop combined moments of prayer, pilgrimage, formation, group sharing, and planning. It began with an opening Mass celebrated by Provincial Superior, Fr. Jose Orathinkal. From there, participants embarked on a moving pilgrimage to the SVD cemetery in Alexishafen, where they prayed for deceased missionaries and Lay Partners, renewing their own missionary vocation.

A screening of The Mission deepened their appreciation for the SVD charism and the sacrifices made in service of the Gospel.

The spiritual heart of the workshop lay in four main sessions, led by Frs. Elias Aiyako, Vincent Agbeyome-Akpah, Geovanne Bustos, and Wilson Jacob. These sessions explored:

• The contemplative and Trinitarian spirituality of St. Arnold Janssen.
  
  
• The missionary nature of the SVD charism.
  
  
• The Four Prophetic Dialogues as pathways for mission.
  
  
• Scripture as a “gold mine” at the very heart of missionary life.
  
  

Participants were reminded that mission is not the work of religious alone—it is also a calling for the laity. As one participant expressed, “We are not just helping the SVD—we are part of the mission.”

District reports highlighted a wide variety of lay-led initiatives: Bible sharing, family prayer groups, social media evangelization, and vocations promotion. A review of the SVD Lay Partner Statutes sparked meaningful discussion, particularly on integrating local customs—such as give-and-take—into a spirituality grounded in prayer rather than material exchange.

A newly published Tok Pisin SVD Lay Partners prayer booklet, created through grassroots collaboration, was warmly received and used extensively during the gathering.

The workshop concluded with a farewell Mass celebrated by Fr. Pat Gesch, the second eldest SVD in the province. In his homily, he encouraged participants to live their vocation with perseverance and joy, carrying the light of Christ into their communities.

This gathering was far more than a training workshop—it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Lay Partner movement in PNG. Strengthened by their unity and inspired by the spirit of St. Arnold, participants returned home not as isolated groups, but as one heart and one mission, ready to witness to the Light.