Society
Of The Divine Word

Warsaw, Poland – February 27 2025 – The Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) continue to embrace the evolving challenges of mission, carrying forward the 150-year legacy of proclaiming the Good News.

Rooted in the vision of St. Arnold Janssen, the SVD has long recognized the importance of thorough missionary preparation. From its inception, the congregation has emphasized scientific disciplines such as anthropology, ethnology, and linguistics, equipping missionaries to engage effectively with diverse cultures worldwide.

As part of the ongoing jubilee celebrations of the Polish Province, a missiological conference titled “With the Word Among the Peoples of the World: 150 Years of the Congregation of the Divine Word” at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University (UKSW) in Warsaw.

The event was organized by Fr. Tomasz Szyszka, SVD, a distinguished professor of missiology at UKSW, who has been instrumental in continuing the legacy of SVD scholars in Poland.

The conference was structured into three thematic blocks, focusing on anthropology, missiology, and ethnology, featuring Polish and international speakers, including missionaries from Italy, Japan, Taiwan/China, Germany, and Poland, as well as members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). Presentations covered the history of the SVD, the role of university education, the biblical apostolate, JPIC initiatives, and the use of media in missionary work.

Reflecting on the contributions of the SVD to Warsaw’s missiological tradition, Prof. Wojciech Kluj, OMI, remarked on the profound impact of SVD scholars such as Fr. Felix Zapłata SVD, Fr. Władysław Kowalak SVD, and Fr. Tomasz Szyszka SVD. He emphasized that the Warsaw school of missiology owes much of its foundation to SVD scholars, who have shaped its academic discourse over the decades.

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the crucial role of ethnology in missionary formation. “Every missionary is an anthropologist,” stated one speaker, underscoring the importance of understanding cultural dynamics for effective evangelization. Fr. Jacek Jan Pawlik, SVD, a professor at the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM), highlighted the undervalued role of ethnology in missionary preparation, noting that beyond theology and philosophy, cultural knowledge is essential for a missionary to adapt, connect, and serve meaningfully.

The conference was further enriched by a Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Bishop Jerzy Mazur, SVD, a former missionary in the Ural Region. In his address, he offered a heartfelt message to his fellow SVD confreres:

“On this jubilee, as one SVD, I extend my wishes to all confreres. Let us be a blessing to those whom God sends us to serve. Let us walk as God’s love in the world, for a missionary is ‘the love of God walking in the world.’ May we carry the Word of God to today’s world, which desperately needs its power. As missionaries of God’s Word, let us be guided by the Holy Spirit to bring His message to all people.”

The missiological conference in Warsaw served as both a celebration of the SVD’s rich academic and missionary legacy and a platform for reflection on contemporary challenges in a rapidly globalizing world.

It reinforced the congregation’s ongoing commitment to scientific research, interfaith dialogue, and innovative approaches to evangelization, ensuring that the SVD continues to be a beacon of mission and scholarship for generations to come.

Krzysztof Kolodynski SVD,
POL Communication Coordinator