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Fraternal moments after meeting.

Preparatory Meeting for the Zonal Assembly of the SVD Brothers in AFRAM Zone

Jacques Gabia, SVD (Coordinator, AFRAM Brothers’ Affairs

At the beginning of February, we held the preparatory meeting for the Second Zonal Assembly of the SVD Brothers, which will take place in Nairobi from August 2–8, 2026. The meeting brought together the AFRAM Zonal Coordinator, the contact person for the Brothers at the AFRAM level, and representatives from the SVD Kenya–Tanzania Province.

Focused on synodality and shared missionary responsibility, this fraternal and strategic gathering unfolded in an atmosphere of reflection and discernment. It centered on the theme to be developed during the Zonal Assembly: “Religious Brother, Pilgrim of Hope in a Wounded World.”

The primary objective of the preparatory meeting was to outline the orientations and identify the key topics to be explored more deeply during the Zonal Assembly. Participants revisited the theme of the Congregation’s most recent General Chapter and reflected on the Jubilee Year of the Universal Church. They also assessed the progress made since the last Zonal Assembly held in Ghana in 2023, highlighting pastoral, community, and vocational challenges specific to the African context.

Several important topics were addressed:

  • The ministerial identity of the SVD Brothers in light of the 19th General Chapter, including the Generalate’s vision and action plan for the coming sexennium;
  • The Religious Brother as a Pilgrim of Hope;
    The promotion of vocations to Religious Brotherhood in the various PRMs;
  • The initial and ongoing formation of the SVD Brothers in light of the Ratio Formationis Generalis; and
  • SVD Brothers and Priests: one vocation lived in two distinct ways—fostering fraternity and close collaboration with SVD Lay Associates in a spirit of shared missionary responsibility.

 

Faithful to the charism of Saint Arnold Janssen, the preparatory team reaffirmed the commitment of SVD Religious Brothers to proclaim the Word of God, especially in contexts marked by poverty, conflict, and rapid cultural change.

Following these deliberations, the preparatory documents were submitted to the Zonal Coordinator for presentation to the Executive Committee (Execom), and subsequently to the Generalate for approval prior to their official adoption. Participants expressed confidence that the forthcoming Assembly will be fruitful and capable of proposing concrete directions to revitalize the mission of the Brothers in Africa.

The upcoming Zonal Assembly thus promises to be a significant moment of communion, renewal, and missionary commitment in service of the Church, the Congregation, and the AFRAM Zone.

SVD KEN
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