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Togo–Benin Province Marks 150th Anniversary of the SVD with Prayer, Mission, and Community Engagement
Tchandama Jean Baptiste, SVD
Opening the Jubilee Year
The Jubilee was officially launched on 8 December 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, following recommendations from the Provincial and Council. This date was chosen to allow diocesan faithful, such as those from the Diocese of Djougou in Benin under Bishop Bernard de Clairvaux Toha, to take part more fully in the celebration.
Prior to the launch, the Provincial and the Mission Secretary sent official letters, along with the Jubilee prayer and a statistical poster of the congregation, to the bishops of Togo and Benin. These materials were also distributed in all SVD parishes and communities, encouraging unity in prayer during this year of grace.
Living the Jubilee at the Local Level
Visible signs of the celebration included posters displayed in parishes, the widespread use of the Jubilee prayer, and the sale of T-shirts and scarves bearing the Jubilee logo. SVD Week 2025 was held under the theme: “Bearing Witness to the Light Everywhere for Everyone.”
Lay partners joined with SVD confreres in marking the Jubilee through teachings, prayer services, and recollections. Parish communities also held concerts and football matches for young people, combining faith with cultural and social activities.
Closing Celebrations and Social Impact
The provincial closing of the Jubilee took place on 30 August 2025 at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Guérin-Kouka, northern Togo, highlighted by the ordination of three new SVD priests. Other communities held their own closing events before or after this date, depending on parish schedules. In some dioceses, such as Parakou, bishops expressed their desire to personally preside over closing celebrations, resulting in additional local commemorations.
The Jubilee year was also marked by concrete works of service. Several wells were drilled in villages to provide clean drinking water, in line with the worldwide “150 Wells” initiative launched by the Generalate. Classrooms were also built, strengthening the mission’s commitment to education and the well-being of children.
A Year of Grace
The Province’s celebration of the 150th Jubilee not only honored the Society’s history but also expressed its living mission—rooted in prayer, community, and service. By engaging the faithful at every level, the Jubilee became more than an anniversary; it was a renewal of commitment to bringing light and hope to all.
