By Justin Wejak

I am a former student of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), where I trained for the priesthood from 1984 to 1994, totalling 10 years with the religious congregation, excluding the four years I spent at the High School Seminary in Flores, eastern Indonesia. My first five years were at the Major Seminary of St. Paul in Ledalero, Maumere, beginning with the Novitiate and followed by philosophy studies. I then arrived in Melbourne in February 1990 to participate in the Overseas Training Program (OTP). While in Melbourne, I studied theology and completed my studies in 1994; however, I chose to leave the SVD before taking perpetual vows and priestly ordination. I have now lived in Melbourne as a layperson for over 30 years. Since 1999, I have been working as an academic and anthropologist at the University of Melbourne, teaching subjects related to Indonesian and Asian studies. Most of my educators in both minor and major seminaries in Indonesia were SVD priests.

Additionally, I was baptised by an SVD priest, and my parish priest during my upbringing was a foreign national SVD priest named Father Eugene Schmitz SVD. My two children were also baptised in Melbourne by the late Father John Mansford Prior SVD, who originally hailed from England. I mention all this to emphasise my long-standing association with the SVD since birth.

I have been away from the SVD for a while, but the profound influence of SVD spirituality—essentially a Trinitarian spirituality—remains active in my life. It emphasises communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, instilling a lasting sense of purpose rooted in mission, prayer, and service. Similarly, the integration of faith and concrete action—key elements of St. Arnold Janssen’s vision—continues to shape my values, choices, and engagement with the contemporary world. Even outside the formal structure of the Congregation, the enduring impact of its spirituality is evident, fostering a lifelong commitment to dialogue, compassion, and sharing God’s love through both words and actions.

St. Arnold Janssen, founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), grounded his spirituality in profound devotion to the Trinity and a deep commitment to the Church's mission. He viewed missionary efforts as ultimately ways to engage in the life and love of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His motto—"May the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people”—expressed his desire for Christ's love to fill the world. St. Arnold Janssen emphasised the necessity of prayer, particularly before the Blessed Sacrament, as essential for missionary work, asserting that true evangelisation arises from a deep bond with God. His spirituality blended contemplation with action, recognising that a strong inner life is vital for effective outward service. 

St. Arnold Janssen had a profound faith in divine providence and firmly believed in the importance of cooperation. He viewed missions not as tasks for isolated individuals but as a collective endeavour involving clergy, religious, and laypeople. This inclusive perspective led him to establish the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) for male religious missionaries, along with two congregations for women: the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (SSpSAP). His spirituality was characterised by a deep reverence for the Holy Spirit, whom he regarded as the subtle yet powerful guide in the Church’s missionary work. Through prayer, communal living, and a commitment to sharing the Gospel in the most remote and under-served areas, St. Arnold Janssen created a legacy of faith that continues to inspire missionaries today.

To embody Trinitarian spirituality, SVD members are called to reflect on the communion of love and unity of the Holy Trinity through inclusive, compassionate, dialogical service. This involves nurturing deep relationships based on mutual respect and cultural sensitivity, particularly in divided or marginalised environments. Like the sending Father, the sent Son, and the empowering Spirit, SVD missionaries act as bridges of reconciliation and instruments of peace, addressing global issues such as migration, climate change, and religious conflict with hope and cooperation. Embracing this spirituality requires continuous personal and communal transformation, grounded in prayer, open to the Spirit, and expressed through actions that uphold the dignity of every individual and acknowledge God's presence in all cultures.

At its core, spirituality revolves around relationships—an ongoing, transformative bond with God, others, oneself, and the world around us. Within the Christian tradition, particularly in Catholicism, this relational aspect reflects the very essence of God as a Trinity: a perfect union of love among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Consequently, spiritual growth involves more than personal development or solitary prayer; it centres on enhancing one’s capacity to love and be loved through genuine, selfless relationships. These connections enable the divine to become accessible—found in the faces of the marginalised, in the solidarity of community, and in the serene moments of prayer—where one attunes to God's voice. When spirituality is experienced relationally, it transcends doctrine into lived moments, where faith is not only professed but also shared, nurtured, and enacted in daily life.

When relationships are wounded, it is essential to heal and restore the fragmented connections—with God, others, oneself, and the world around us—through the transformative power of forgiveness and compassion. This process acknowledges human hurt and sin while relying on God’s loving mercy to foster wholeness and tranquillity. Inspired by Christ, who healed the sick and reconciled humanity to the Father, this Trinitarian spirituality encourages believers to be agents of healing in a suffering world—advocating for justice, extending forgiveness, and striving for unity. Through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of love, healing and reconciliation emerge as sacred pathways towards renewal and deeper communion.

Furthermore, reflecting on SVD Trinitarian spirituality, I describe it as a home with residents from various parts of the world and diverse cultural backgrounds. Spirituality resembles a home, a community. In a home, everyone learns to live together and interact meaningfully, fostering mutual spiritual growth through contemplation and service. It is also an open and inclusive community where anyone who visits feels welcome and at peace. This openness and inclusivity are evident in the celebrations held in SVD communities, such as in Melbourne, where participants truly appreciate the SVD hospitality. Hospitality, reaching out to people, listening to their stories, and showing compassion are all critical aspects of SVD spirituality. It’s about creating a home where everyone can experience the love and peace of God. This is why SVDs around the world, especially in developing countries like Indonesia, have a strong JPIC (Justice, Peace, and the Integration of Creation) movement that promotes solidarity and advocacy for the rights of marginalised communities. JPIC is therefore a form of spirituality in action; it’s akin to a social spirituality within the SVD.

The SVD Trinitarian spirituality centres on a transformative bond with God, shaped by Jesus Christ's teachings and Church traditions. It underscores the significance of prayer, sacramental participation, and virtues such as humility, charity, and solidarity. This spirituality emphasises the development of an inner life and the expression of love through service and community engagement. At its core, spirituality is a process of sanctification—achieving holiness through God’s grace—rather than merely a personal experience. Therefore, spirituality is both reflective and active, individual and communal, helping the faithful draw closer to God. Saints and spiritual leaders such as St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Arnold Janssen offer guidance, emphasising the importance of prayer, avoiding sin, and seeking communion with God. The Church views the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as vital conduits of grace that support one's spiritual journey—an aspirational path towards the Triune God.

Rooted in the life-giving communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinitarian spirituality of the SVD inspires a missionary passion that brings together word and action, faith and justice in a world longing for love, truth, and reconciliation.