Introduction

Fr. Arnold Janssen, as a child, observed how his parents did devotional practices during Advent. Thus, from the early age itself Arnoldo knew the value of renunciation and abstinence. We know that the members of the Foundational Mission House at Steyl were fasting from meat three days during the week. This rigorous practice of austerity was canceled in the first General Chapter (1884-86).

The manger: Arnold, like the other children of his time, was watching the manger with curiosity. It was a lesson for him. That is to say, he found in Joseph and Mary, the collaboration of selfless dedication to God’s plan in the incarnation of the Divine Word. The Infant Jesus in the cradle of the manger is the visible sign of the mystery of the mysterious incarnation of God. That is why Arnold would not hesitate to name our Congregation: Societas Verbi Divini [SVD] (Society of the Divine Word]. To highlight this mysterious God´s approach in the incarnation, Arnold gave great importance to the cribs in the Mission House of Steyl, in the solemn candlelight procession and other Christmas celebrations.

A message: The Founder wrote: “I feel such festivities are important for unsophisticated peoples who cannot grasp the purely abstract. They must be helped by attractive external spectacles. Through these Christianity comes alive before their eyes and can more easily penetrate their hearts” (Cf. Alt, Journey in Faith, 665).

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary for founding days: Arnold during his visits to the parish of Goch, when watching and contemplating the manger, would begin to perceive that, if the Virgin Mary was conceived mysteriously, the Son of God could also be born in a mysterious way. We know that the Immaculate Conception has been a holy day of obligation throughout the Church since 1708, established by Pope Clement XI. Pope Pius IX, on December 8, 1854, proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This would serve as a prelude to choosing December 8th to found the SSpS and SSpSAP Congregations.

Mary of Hope: She is an indispensable part of Advent. It is she who carries the Son of God growing in her womb. Everything was possible because of Mary’s docility. That is why what God asked of Mary was her integrity: her heart, soul and mind, and not a virginal “womb to hire,” as the incarnation could ironically be expressed in modern terms, for the birth of His son, Jesus. It is a wholehearted “Yes” and not a partial one from Mary. There is no Bethlehem without Mary, and without Her there is no Calvary either. However, Mary knows that everything is God´s grace. It is also our missionary vocation.

The renewed mission: The fact of the Incarnation, that is, the pregnancy of the Son of God in the virginal womb of Mary is symbolic for ecclesial life of all times. In the post-pandemic Church, a new ecclesiality is also taking place. It is essential to accept, like Mary, the invitation to be missionaries. with a renewed heart, mind and soul. Mary teaches us that the spirituality of Advent is a journey of search and conversion. It is the path to Bethlehem. The essence missionary vocation, then, consists of receiving Christ again in the cradle of the heart. Allow the Word to become incarnate in our being, and be born for the Outgoing Church. We are managers of this process. Mary’s total “Yes” urges us to say our total “Yes” as well for the new shared new global mission of SSpS, with a synodal spirit of great union. So that we can also live the motto of the next SVD General Chapter: “Your light must shine before others (Mt 5:16): Faithful and creative disciples in a wounded world.” The situation asks us for docility. 

Blessed Advent!

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Saju George Aruvelil, SVD is from India. He is one of the first OTP who has gone to Argentina. He finished his theological studies for the priesthood also there. He then began his service in the education field in our SVD institutions. He obtained a licentiate in Spirituality from Pontifical University of Comillas, Madrid. He also holds a doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of Argentina, Buenos Aires. He also helps in the formation of laity and religious candidates. He gives retreats and leads workshops, seminars, etc. He has a radio program and writes in a local newspaper. At present he is a promoter of Laudato Si Movement for caring for the Earth together with his parish priestly pastoral activities.