Questions and Answers
What is SVD?
Society of the Divine Word
Who founded the SVD?
St. Arnold Janssen
When was the SVD founded?
September 8, 1875
What is the foundation day of the SVD?
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How many congregations did Arnold Janssen found?
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What devotion did he get from his father?
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What devotion did he get from his mother?
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What was the birth date of St. Arnold Janssen?
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What was the death date of St. Arnold Janssen?
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Where was St. Arnold Janssen born?
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St. Arnold Janssen was the second of eleven children.
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What was the purpose of establishing the mission seminary?
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What does 'Kulturkampf' refer to?
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What is the main thrust of SVD spirituality?
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What did St. Arnold Janssen pray every quarter hour?
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Study Notes
SVD Overview
- Societas Verbi Divini (SVD), or Society of the Divine Word, is a religious congregation founded by St. Arnold Janssen.
- Established on September 8, 1875, in Steyl, Netherlands.
- Active worldwide with 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries in 63 countries, over 3,800 Servants of the Holy Spirit, and more than 400 Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration.
St. Arnold Janssen
- Born on November 5, 1837, in Goch, Germany, and died on January 15, 1909.
- Second of eleven children born to Gerhard and Anna Katharina Janssen.
- Influenced by deep faith from his father, who revered the Holy Trinity and the Word of God, and his mother's spirituality.
- Introduced the concept of "quarter-hour prayer" in his youth, praying acts of faith, hope, and charity every quarter hour.
Founding Mission
- Purpose included establishing a mission seminary to proclaim the Gospel among those unfamiliar with God.
- Aims to attract and train young men as missionaries.
- Identified a mission field of 1.5 billion people, of which 210-220 million are Catholics.
Spirituality and Dialogue
- Introduced at the SVD's 10th General Chapter, focusing on prophetic dialogue with the world, people, culture, and religions.
- Emphasizes humility in engaging in dialogue as part of mission spirituality.
Foundation of Other Congregations
- Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) founded on December 8, 1889.
- Sisters-Servant of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP) established on December 8, 1896.
Physical Characteristics and Personality
- St. Arnold was 164 cm (5 feet 5 inches) tall, resembling his mother.
- Portrayed as a "little Prussian" with a soft voice and self-awareness about his speaking and singing abilities.
- Underwent surgery to remove a lump from his eye.
Cultural Context
- Experienced "Kulturkampf," a struggle between the German state and the Roman Catholic Church during 1871-87.
- Advocated for faith doing something new amidst the challenging times for the Church, reflecting on resilience and mission.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), including its founding, key figures, and spiritual ethos. This quiz covers important aspects related to St. Arnold Janssen and the concept of prophetic dialogue in Christian mission. See how well you understand the foundations and mission of this religious congregation.
