Two SVD members from the Australia Province have recently returned from Europe where they took part in a Renewal Course which helped them re-charge their missionary batteries and return back to their ministry refreshed and re-invigorated.

Fr Viet Nguyen SVD, who is the Mission Secretary for the SVD AUS Province, travelled to Steyl in the Netherlands and Nemi, outside of Rome for the course, along with Fr John Quang SVD, who had been serving in a New Zealand parish.

Fr Viet said the 2023 Nemi Renewal Course began in August in the SVD Mission House in Steyl, Netherlands and continued in Nemi, Italy, from September through November. It had 27 participants, including 26 SVDs and one Diocesan priest. They came from nine countries: India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Ghana, Taiwan, Togo, Congo, and Thailand.

“The course aims to strengthen human formation and deepen religious-missionary commitment based on the charism and spirituality of St Arnold Janssen and the Founding Generation to be effective witness to the kingdom of God,” he said.

The renewal course contained both input from leaders and time for quite reflection and sharing with the other confreres taking part.

It also allowed for time spent in nature in the beautiful surrounds of the SVD’s Centro Ad Gentes retreat centre in Nemi, which is located in the hills outside of Rome, situated just across the lake from the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo.

The two AUS Province confreres also took the opportunity to catch up with the Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD when he was in Rome for the Synod on Synodality, as well as being present in St Peter’s Square for one of Pope Francis’ regular addresses to the people.

Fr Viet said that after many years working as a missionary in various parishes and places, and now in his role as Missionary Secretary for the Province, the renewal course was a welcome chance to step back and catch his breath.

“I found the course meaningful and helpful. It has renewed my spiritual, psychological, theological, and missiological knowledge,” he said.

 “It has especially revived my heart and mind, allowing me to recommit to my goal.

“I've learned and meditated deeply on St Arnold Janssen's Charism and Spirituality, and also on the Founding Generation, which has given me positive energy - fully charged batteries - for the work that I'm currently undertaking and for my future mission.”

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr John Quang SVD (front, middle) and Fr Viet Nguyen SVD (front, right) with the group taking part in the 2024 Renewal Course in Nemi, Italy.

MIDDLE LEFT: Fr John and Fr Viet caught up with Provincial, Fr Asaeli Rass SVD in St Peter's Square. Fr Rass was in in Rome while taking part in the Synod on Synodality.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Fr John and Fr Viet with Fr Steve Bevans SVD from the United States who was one of the course presenters.