Communication at its most profound level is the giving of self in love. Consequently, good communications has always been at the heart of the Society of the Divine Word.

The founder of the Society of the Divine Word, St Arnold Janssen began his life’s work of awakening the missionary responsibility of the Church by publishing a popular newsletter, called The Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart.

As Christians, we believe that the Bible reveals to us the living Word of God.

The Biblical Apostolate of the Divine Word Missionaries in Australia is a ministry of spreading the Word of God to everyone.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that every baptised person is personally called to be a missionary for Christ.

Not everyone will take up the call to become missionary priests or brothers like the Divine Word Missionaries, but every person can be missionary in their own place and circumstance by deepening their relationship with God and spreading his love to others.

People who are sick in hospital are often experiencing great anxiety and fear and it is easy to feel forgotten as the busy world rushes on outside.
A number of Divine Word Missionaries work as chaplains in hospitals, being with people during their illness and offering them the healing presence of Jesus Christ.

Apart from spending time with patients, and praying with them, our priests also offer the strengthening and healing sacraments of the Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick to those Catholic patients who wish to receive them.

What does it mean to be a missionary in the 21st Century? Is mission only for clergy and religious or is it something for every baptised person?
The Divine Word Missionaries have members who are not only experienced missionaries but who have studied and lectured extensively in the fields of Missiology and Anthropology.

We share this knowledge and love of Mission with students of Theology and the humanities at academic institutions such as the Yarra Theological Union, as well as through occasional lectures around the Province and beyond. A number of our SVD members have also written books.

Caring for our aged confreres with love and respect, in the spirit of Jesus Christ, is a priority of the community. 

Some retired missionaries have returned from the mission fields ageing and frail, requiring physical and health care in hostel style accommodation. Younger members are assigned to their care and those in formation often spend time with their older confreres. Other retired missionaries are able to remain quite active in their ‘retirement’ years.

Very few missionaries want to retire and most seek to continue helping the Province in whatever way they might be able to, as well as continuing to live their religious life with prayer and reflection. Retirement is a time for them to receive special care and support.

Working with migrant communities is a key focus of the SVD Australian Province. Many of our parishes contain large migrant populations and often many cultures are located within the one parish.

The SVD itself is a multicultural society and it is a central part of our charism to be with those who may be feeling marginalized or without a voice in their new country. The Divine Word Missionaries offer spiritual and moral support to migrant families including those who came as refugees, with the parish often becoming the centre where they can find support.

We offer Masses in various languages for different cultural groups, which brings comfort and joy to people struggling with a new language. And we help people to link up with English lessons, employment and other community services to assist them in forging their new life, as well as providing a supportive social outlet.

The SVD Australian Province is recognised as being a leader in the formation and training of missionaries.

SVD members and novices come to Australia from all over the world to complete their training, which involves both an academic program and spiritual formation. Situated at Dorish Maru College, Box Hill, the students undertake philosophy and theology studies at the Yarra Theological Union, and are immersed in religious community life and pastoral work.

Many missionaries serving in various parts of the world today retain a strong affection for and association with Australia thanks to their years of formation here.

A number of dioceses within the Australian Province have invited priests from overseas to assist them in caring for the pastoral needs of the people as local vocations to the priesthood fall.

The special multicultural charism of the Divine Word Missionaries has enabled us to offer the local Church our expertise and support in the ongoing formation of religious and diocesan clergy who arrive in Australia to embark on multicultural ministry and community life.

We work with dioceses and religious orders to provide workshops and ongoing formation to help newly arrived clergy settle in and engage in fruitful ministry.

We are part of an international community of SVD missionaries and members of the Australian Province regularly answer the call to work as missionaries in areas of need around the world.

Currently, there are a number of SVD AUS Province members and members who completed their training and formation in Australia, who are working overseas as missionaries. They are working with communities in need in Papua New Guinea, Japan, Indonesia, the USA, China, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina, Cuba, Hong Kong, Madagascar, South Africa, Romania/Moldova, and Russia.

Although their missionary circumstances and experiences will all be very different, the thing they have in common is that in accordance with the SVD Constitutions, they are assisting the local Church in bringing the love of Jesus – both practically and spiritually - to people who are poor and marginalized.