As Jesus walks the Way of the Cross, we place ourselves behind him, following in his footsteps. As we walk with him, we contemplate his passion for the sake of humanity, his broken heart, and his life as a gift of love, said Pope Leo XIV in his homily for Palm Sunday.

We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as King of Peace, even as war looms around him. He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence. He offers himself to embrace humanity, even as others raise swords and clubs. He is the light of the world, though darkness is about to engulf the earth. He came to bring life, even as plans unfold to condemn him to death.

The diversity of the SVD Australia Province was on full display over the past month as Provincial, Fr Boni Buahendri SVD was welcomed by confreres and faith communities in the South Island of New Zealand, Central West Queensland and the Tiwi Islands.

The visits were part of Fr Boni’s initial tour of the Province, in which he said his primary goal was to simply “be with” the missionaries and listen to their experience.

Two young SVD seminarians have arrived in Australia to begin their Overseas Training Program, spending time in several ministries of the Divine Word Missionaries in the Province to deepen their lived experience of missionary life.

Yulles Vitoria is from Brazil and Felix Infant is from India and both have arrived at the SVD’s formation house, Dorish Maru College in Melbourne, looking forward to being immersed in new cultures, languages and missions.

As you receive this edition of ‘In the Word’, we are embarking on Holy Week, with all the solemnity and beauty of the Paschal Triduum just a couple of days away.

Beginning on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and concluding with the Resurrection joy of the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, the Triduum invites us to truly enter into the commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus.

Fr Satheesh Voora SVD has arrived in Wellington, New Zealand to take up his first overseas missionary assignment, following his recent ordination in India.

He said his arrival in the Australia Province has been met with warm hospitality from both SVD confreres and the parishioners of the Te Awakairangi Parish in Lower Hutt, to which he has been assigned as assistant priest.

Three young SVD seminarians professed their final vows as Divine Word Missionaries this month and were ordained as deacons as they continue their journey towards the priesthood.

Agustinus Buu Araujo Siga, SVD (Gusty), Antonius Kristanto Papalesa, SVD (Krisna), and Anthony Khanh Ngoc Nguyen, SVD (Khanh) made their final profession at St Paschal’s Chapel, Box Hill, in Melbourne on Saturday, March 21, before being ordained to the diaconate in the same chapel the following day.

When I look back on the months I have spent in Rome, I often find myself caught between wonder and disbelief, writes Fr Clement Baffoe SVD. Rome, with all its centuries of whispers and layers of history, now forms part of my own personal story — a story I never imagined would unfold in such depth and colour.

I share this as a friendly journey through the corners of my life in the Eternal City. It is a story of grace, vulnerability, laughter, study, growth, and a fair share of unexpected moments.

Preparations are underway for celebrations to mark the 40^th anniversary of St John Paul II’s historic speech to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Alice Springs.

Fr Prakash Menezes SVD, Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Alice Springs said the parish is delighted to be involved with the celebration of an event which has so much meaning for both First Nations people and the broader Catholic Church.

The SVD mission in Thailand and Myanmar has been split into two Districts, a move which confreres say will help overcome challenges of distance and enhance unity, collaboration and effectiveness in ministry.

The two new Districts, which are part of the Australia Province, will be known as the Bangkok-Myanmar District and the Udon Thani District, and it is hoped the new arrangement will also provide further support for vocations and early formation for those discerning missionary life in the region.

Fr Shiju Paul SVD has arrived to take up ministry in the Australia Province after almost 30 years as a missionary in India, various parts of Africa and the United States.

Fr Shiju said he is open to working wherever he is assigned in the Province, but has a special interest in living and working with Australia’s First Nations peoples and providing presence, deep listening and accompaniment.