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Uganda: New SVD Mission House in Ariwa
Andrew Truong Quoc Hung, SVD
The Thanksgiving and Blessing celebration began with evening prayers (Vespers), led by SSD Mission Superior Fr Andrzej Marek Dzida SVD. After the service, the house blessing ceremony continued. Father Andrzej sprinkled holy water in every corner of the house, starting in the chapel and working his way through the sitting room, dining room, bedrooms, office, meeting room and guest house. This was done as a symbol of purification and to surrender all activities in the house to God’s protection.
In his speech, Fr. Andrzej, SVD, noted that the blessing of the mission house was originally planned for December 2025 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the SVD. However, as construction was only completed this year, the celebration was postponed. He expressed gratitude to God and joy that the house has now finally been blessed.
As Mission Superior, he also congratulated Fr. Wojciech Pawłowski, SVD, Parish Priest of St. Arnold Janssen Parish, Ariwa, who serves as the house superior and oversaw the construction project of the SVD mission house until its completion.
The construction of the mission house took approximately one and a half years, beginning in May 2024. Although the building is not yet fully completed, we give thanks to the Holy Trinity for His blessings and providence throughout the process. The establishment of this house was made possible through the support of our beloved Congregation, the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the dedication of the confreres of the SSD Mission, generous donors, and the collaboration of many individuals who contributed in various ways to the realization of this project.
Looking ahead, the mission house—also serving as the rectory of St. Arnold Janssen Parish, Ariwa, Diocese of Arua—is expected to strengthen various missionary initiatives, particularly in promoting the four characteristic dimensions of the SVD: Bible Apostolate, Communication, Mission Animation, and Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
Present at the celebration were SVD confreres from three communities: Holy Family Parish, Lainya (Diocese of Yei, South Sudan); the SVD Lodonga Formation Community; and St. Arnold Janssen Parish, Ariwa. Also in attendance were the SSpS Sisters from three communities: Lodonga, Gulu, and Yei (South Sudan). Together, they gathered in prayer and thanksgiving, celebrating in a spirit of fraternity as partners in the SVD mission.
With the inauguration of the mission house, the Society reaffirms its commitment to its missionary presence in South Sudan and Uganda, rooted in the Word of God and inspired by its motto: Vivat Deus Unus et Trinus in Cordibus Nostris et in Cordibus Hominum (May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all people).
