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National Gathering of SVD Parishes in Ecuador: A Church Walking Together in Mission
Joamon K. Varkey, SVD
The event was a meaningful experience of communion, formation, and missionary renewal. The Ecuador Province of the Society, which currently serves twelve parishes in six dioceses across the country, organized the gathering as a space for formation and integration. Four representatives from each parish participated, accompanied by their respective SVD parish priests.
During these days of fraternal fellowship, priests and pastoral workers shared the richness of their parish experiences, strengthening the bonds of unity that characterize the SVD missionary charism. The gathering was marked by prayer, mutual listening, dialogue, and a shared commitment to respond creatively to the challenges of evangelization in today’s Ecuador.
The gathering was accompanied by Fr. William Pais, SVD, Provincial Superior, who encouraged participants to renew the missionary spirit that defines the Society of the Divine Word. He reminded them that our parishes are called to be evangelizing communities—open to dialogue, committed to justice, and close to the realities of the people they serve. He also highlighted the four characteristic SVD dimensions as the foundation of the SVD missionary identity in every parish.
The first two days focused on pastoral formation through conferences and dialogue sessions on topics of great relevance to the life of the Church. One of the principal presentations, “Synodal Spirituality: From Pope Francis to Pope Leo XIV—A Pastoral Perspective,” explored the synodal journey initiated by Pope Francis and its continuation under the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Participants reflected on the importance of walking together as the People of God by fostering co-responsibility, participation, and communion in parish life.
Another conference, “Dilexi Te: New Challenges for Mission,” invited participants to rediscover that every work of evangelization begins with Christ’s love and leads to an encounter with others. In the context of today’s profound social and cultural changes, the presentation emphasized the need for a missionary approach that is close to people, merciful, and open to new human and existential frontiers.
Participants also showed great interest in the conference “The Digital World and Pastoral Challenges,” which examined the impact of new technologies and digital culture on individuals and Christian communities. The presentation stressed the urgent need to form pastoral workers capable of evangelizing in digital spaces by using communication media responsibly to proclaim the Gospel and accompany especially the younger generations.
Finally, the study session “Magnificat Humanitas of Pope Leo XIV: See, Judge, and Act,” provided a valuable synthesis of the Holy Father’s principal contributions to the Church’s mission in today’s world. Using the traditional pastoral method of “see, judge, and act,” participants reflected on the call to view reality with Christian hope, discern it in the light of the Gospel, and respond with concrete actions that promote human dignity, fraternity, and missionary commitment.
In addition to the formation sessions, the gathering fostered moments of fraternal fellowship. A joyful cultural evening allowed participants to share their talents, cultural traditions, and parish experiences, strengthening friendship and their sense of belonging to the Verbite family. Whenever the schedule allowed, participants also visited several landmarks in Quito’s Historic Center, appreciating its rich cultural, artistic, and religious heritage.
The National Gathering of SVD Parishes reaffirmed the commitment to building vibrant, synodal, and deeply missionary communities. Participants returned to their parishes renewed in faith, enriched by their shared experience, and inspired to continue proclaiming the Gospel with enthusiasm, creativity, and fidelity to the charism of St. Arnold Janssen.
Looking to the future, the SVD parishes of Ecuador renewed their commitment to walk together, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and respond generously to the challenges of mission, so that the Kingdom of God may continue to grow in every community and throughout the country.
