Spreading Smiles and Faith: Youth Pilgrims Brighten the SVD House in Rome

GMD

Youth delegations from around the world join Jubilee of Youth celebrations

From July 28 to August 3, 2025, the Collegio Verbo Divino in Rome joyfully welcomed several youth groups participating in the Jubilee of Youth as “Pilgrims of Hope.” These delegations—coming from Spain, Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Peru, Guam, Japan, the Philippines, India, Taiwan, Japan and beyond—visited the SVD house as part of their faith-filled journey in the heart of the Church.

Among the visitors was a delegation of over 100 young people from various dioceses in Taiwan, including members of the SVD Youth Group accompanied by Fr. Marselinus Antoni Lewokeda, SVD, an Indonesian missionary serving in Taiwan.

Youth pilgrims from Taiwan.

During their visit, they were received by Fr. Anselmo Ribeiro, SVD, Superior General, who offered them a warm welcome and an inspiring message. He shared the story of Saint Joseph Freinademetz, one of the early SVD missionaries to China, and spoke about the mission and purpose of the SVD community in Rome. He encouraged the youth to pray for Divine Word Missionaries around the world and challenged them to be “young missionaries in their daily lives, through small acts of faith and love.”

The visit was filled with moments of reflection, inspiration, and connection with the global SVD family. For many, it served as a powerful reminder that mission begins with a hopeful heart — and continues wherever we are. You can watch the videos capturing these events on our Facebook page: