SVD - Celebrating 100 Years

6 D ear confreres, sisters, friends, benefactors, and lay partners, First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the centennial of the first SVD house in Epping, Australia. Together with the General Council members, I am united with you in thanking God for his abundant blessings. The Lord has been showering these graces to the Province through the sisters and other religious congregations, the local bishops and their priests and parishioners, the former SVDs, our friends, benefactors, and lay mission partners. Taking a comprehensive look at the past and present journey of your Province, I would like to underline three aspects which are and continue to be essential for us in the future: The first is the openness to the challenges that paves the way towards transformation and renewal. The initiative to move from a missionaries’ transit place to a permanent mission station was taken 100 years ago. It responded to the growing need and opportunities for mission. Then, facing new and more challenges, the territory and ministries of the province have been extended. All this is possible because of the province’s openness to concrete situations. Such exposure to the signs of times is the motor of transformation and renewal of our life and mission. In times of crisis, such openness helps us overcome fear and be creative in finding the right ways to live and do our mission. Secondly, collaboration and networking are the keys to the mission. Since the beginning, our presence here is marked by a good partnership with the bishops and their priests, the Sisters and other religious congregations, and the laypeople. The mission is the task God has given to all of us. Therefore, we have to promote and improve collaboration with everyone. I want to underline the importance of cooperation with the laity in sharing the responsibility for the mission. I hope you continue to walk and work together with our friends and benefactors, our former members, and mission partners. It is essential to note that at the early stage of the mission there was a collaborative presence of Brothers and priests. Finally, there should be no space for clericalism in the SVD. The other aspect of the SVD community is interculturality. As brothers of different national, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, we commit ourselves to live and work together. We consider our intercultural life and mission as a witness of the Triune God and the Church’s richness. This is very actual in multicultural societies like in the countries covered by your Province. In this time, our intercultural life and mission is our critical and prophetic response to the increasing racism and nationalism. You are modestly celebrating this centennial due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, your hearts are overflowing with joy and gratitude. Once again, I wish you a happy centennial celebration! Through the intercessions of Saints Arnold and Joseph, Blessed Maria Helena, and Josepha and our blessed martyrs, may the Lord bless you all to be faithful to the Word and one with the people. Letter from Superior General May the love of Christ impel you to be rooted in the Word and committed to his Mission! Fraternally in the Divine Word, Fr Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD Superior General and the Leadership Team