The transformation of the school teacher, Fr. Arnold, into a universal missionary

Introduction: The Virgin Mary, a humble girl from Palestine received a great invitation, but this was very challenging as it was to be the mother of the Savior, being already betrothed to Joseph of Nazareth. The story of her life is a story of transformation and celebration. It was on this Feast of the Annunciation that Fr. Arnold received the inspiration to found the Missionary House for the world. Today, St, Mary encourages, enlightens and consoles us to continue in our mission.

Double Jubilee: We are in the Church Jubilee year of 2025. As pilgrims of hope and members of the Arnoldine family, the SVDs are celebrating the jubilee for 150 years and the SSpS, the year of transformation. Thus, it is a year of grace and kairos for all of us and for our lay partners as well.

The call: As God called the Virgin of Nazareth to a great mission (Lk 1:26-38), so also He called the fishermen of Galilee Peter and his companions with “follow me, I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). Both she, in her household duties, these men in their daily task, as well as Professor Arnold in his classroom teaching. All were doing what was habitual. But God’s definitive plans for them were something more noble, challenging and revolutionary.

The desert: In biblical terms, it is the place of purification, since solitude helps to achieve change and transformation. But it is also the indispensable step for God to speak to the heart (Hos 2:16-21) to find a new path and a new phase of vocation and mission. The Virgin Mary, St. Joseph of Nazareth, the apostles and disciples of Jesus, our Founder, the other members of the founding generation and those who preceded them up to the present time, all lived this bitter but transforming experience. Nevertheless, Our Lady, the SVDs and the SSpS were faithful and knew how to achieve their own spiritual growth and psychological maturity. They show us the way of transformation and how to prepare ourselves for today’s mission.

Vocation is a permanent path of transformation: If for the first members of that small mission house the desert would have been the scourge of the Kulturkampf and the anti-Catholic legislations, for the generations that followed, it would have been materialism, and it seems to me that, for the present generation, the relativism of everything, the lack of motivation with less commitment and sense of belonging within the young consecrated life. There is a real vocational crisis.

The challenging artificial intelligence: The advancement of the use of artificial intelligence [AI] would lead us to a myriad of real and acute problems. We only see the tip of the iceberg; the use of AI seems benevolent, but there is a sleeping monster behind it. Are we prepared to face the imminent change that will modify even our existence, reducing humanity to a few select group of people? In other words, if robots can replace the tasks we do daily, tomorrow there would be no need for people and this would reduce the sources of jobs. That is to say, if people do not know how to live due to lack of work and income, married couples are forced to choose between having children or not, and those who decide for a yes, would be limited to one son or a daughter, a situation that is already happening in different parts of the world, and hence disappearing villages and towns.

Conclusion: Jesus said to Peter “Feed my sheep” (Jn 21:15-17). That means now fisherman must radically change his job. Similarly, Arnold had to change from teacher to visionary Founder. The Virgin, from being the mother of the Savior to be the mother of the apostles (Jn 19:26-28) and of the Church.  The feast of the Annunciation exhorts us to become credible witnesses, to begin the new and challenging mission of today of “your light must shine before men” (Mt 5:16) to heal wounds of the world and fill it with hope.

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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.