SVD Founding Generations

Flashcards covering the history, founders, and key terminology of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Arnoldus Family.

Society of the Divine Word (SVD)

A Roman Catholic missionary religious congregation that is the largest missionary congregation in the Catholic Church, consisting of 6,023 members as of 2020.

SVD Nominal Letters

The letters SVD used after a member's name to indicate membership in the congregation, such as Fr. Jose Marie L. Pareja, SVD.

Foundation Day

The official start date of the SVD missionaries, which occurred on September 8, 1875.

Steyl, Netherlands

The location in Europe where the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) officially started.

St. Arnold Janssen

The founder of the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP, whose life and mission were inspired by the WORD.

SSpS

The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, founded by St. Arnold Janssen in 1889.

SSpSAP

The Sister-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration, founded by St. Arnold Janssen in 1896.

Anna Katharina and Gerhard

The mother and father of St. Arnold Janssen who had a great love of prayer and formed his experience of God at home.

Motto of St. Arnold Janssen

"May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all."

St. Joseph Freinademetz

The first SVD missionary sent to China who believed that the language all people understand is that of love.

Blessed Helena Stollenwerk and Blessed Josepha Hendrina Stenmanns

The co-founders of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and faithful servants of God.

SVD Motto Prayer

"May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the Light of the Word and the spirit of grace, and may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all."

Jerimiah 7:23

The biblical doctrine that states: "Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well."

SVD Week

A celebration held from September 1-8 for all schools, parishes, and places where there is a mission of the SVDs.