Members of the General Chapter of 2000 with His Holiness Pope John Paul II
The Society of the Divine Word was established to send missionaries to foreign countries. What started with the sending of missionaries from Europe now continues with missionaries being sent out from all countries in which the SVD is established, in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. As a result our communities have a rich international character, with local and foreign members living and working side by side.
The first missionary, St Joseph Freinademetz, became an example to all following in his footsteps. His love for China went beyond adopting Chinese clothes and general life-style. His wish was to become Chinese. Internationality is a sign of the Kingdom. Internationality in mission respects the cultures of all without imposing any one culture, but especially it seeks to uncover and point to the working of God in the peoples and cultures among whom we live and work.