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Pentecost and Jubilee Celebration in Steyl
Sebastian Quillmann
Fr. Peter Claver Narh, Provincial of the German SVD Province, welcomed the many guests who had gathered for the service on the “Patersplak,” the large grass court of the motherhouse. He praised the close relationship between the local community and the missionaries, and expressed appreciation for the many volunteers whose initiative and dedication had made the grand celebration possible. “We are a family in the spirit of our founder, Arnold Janssen – the Arnoldus Family. We wish all who share this community with us God’s abundant blessing,” said Fr. Narh.
The festive sermon was delivered by Fr. Xavier Thirukudumbam, Vice Superior General of the SVD. He drew parallels between the situation in the founding year of 1875 and the world today:
“The event of Pentecost highlights a transformative mission empowered by the Spirit. […] In January 1875, Fr. Arnold personally presented his plan for a Mission House for German Catholics to the Archbishop of Cologne, Paul Melchers. When the archbishop reacted pessimistically, Arnold replied, ‘We live in a time when much is collapsing, and new things must be established in their place.’ My brothers and sisters, our situation today is not drastically different from 1875.
There is so much woundedness in the world today due to various factors. Revitalized by the Spirit, we are called to continue the collaborative mission of proclaiming peace, reconciliation and healing to the wounded world. As envisioned by St. Arnold, we do this by establishing new things with a creative fidelity. Sharing the courage and convictions of St. Arnold, and being faithful to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we rededicate ourselves to the Missio Dei. May our Blessed Mother continue to intercede and inspire us.”
The celebration was musically accompanied by the “Steyl Music Apostles,” a group of seminarians and confreres of the SVD. As part of the celebration, the anniversary song “Zeugnis ablegen für das Licht” (Witnessing to the Light) had its premiere in front of an audience. The song, composed by Fr. Vinsensius Adi Gunawan (music) and Marina Palmen (lyrics), reflects the jubilee theme. The chorus translates loosely as:
“Bearing witness to the light is my springboard out of darkness. Bearing witness to the light, out of the darkness, hoping for a rushing mighty wind, I sing out my confidence!”
Our 150th anniversary celebration on Pentecost Sunday in Steyl has given us many beautiful memories. After the mass, a Festival of Cultures followed, featuring snacks and dances from the Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities. After all, the dialogue of cultures is also one of taste and dance and music.
Another festive occasion had already taken place on the evening before the jubilee celebration: Together with Dutch artist Krien Clevis, the SVD community of Steyl opened the exhibition “Steyler” with a ceremony in the lower church of St. Michael. The multimedia exhibition, featuring floating, transparent portrait-photographs of our confreres, will be on display until November 16, 2025.
The exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the life stories of our missionaries, who have shared their personal answers to the question “What is your mission?” The exhibition inspires its visitors to reflect on their own mission in life. On the occasion of the exhibition’s opening, Vice Superior General Fr. Xavier Thirukudumbam offered words of gratitude and was among the first visitors to experience the floating portrait photos.
