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Missionary Mysticism and the 150 Years of the SVD
Moacir Rudnick, SVD
Arnold Janssen and the founding generation lived this mystical experience with great intensity. They knew how to welcome God’s will in their lives and make themselves available to Divine Providence. They were able to overcome their personal limitations and desires, surrendering without limits or conditions to the newness of mission. They did not keep this challenge to themselves but gathered others who shared the same longing. And many more have followed in their footsteps over the past 150 years.
Missionary activity is the purpose and reason for being of the congregations founded by Saint Arnold Janssen, whether they are dedicated to active or contemplative life. Our mission is to participate in God’s mission as His collaborators, disciples, and missionaries. We are invited to let go of ourselves, to adopt new attitudes and mindsets, and to be led by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus was (Luke 4:18-19).
Spirituality is the fuel that powers the mission. It’s like a car—no matter how beautiful or new it may be, it won’t run without fuel. The same applies to each of us: if we are not filled with the Spirit of God, we will remain stuck. Just as a car exists to move, to go out and meet others, so it is with us. Mission challenges us to go beyond ourselves and encounter others.
In addition to fuel and a battery, a car also needs wheels to move. The tires must be well inflated for the journey to be smooth. For us, disciples and missionaries of the Arnoldus family, we can compare the wheels to the four essential dimensions of our activities: the biblical dimension, the missionary dimension, the JPIC (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation) dimension, and the communication dimension. Arnold missionary spirituality is enriched through the interrelation of these four dimensions. They are essential to help us reach the dialogue partners of Prophetic Dialogue: those without faith or searching for a faith community; the poor and marginalized; those from different cultures; and those of other religions or ideologies.
Missionary Mysticism drives us to be light and a sign of hope in a wounded world. We can only truly live this out if we allow the Spirit of God to work within us.
