The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in India concluded its annual religious retreat at Atmadarshan, Andheri, on November 14, 2025, marking a spiritually enriching week of renewal and reflection. Centered on the theme “Becoming Creative Disciples in a Wounded World,” the retreat brought together 53 SVD missionaries and 7 Holy Spirit Sisters for a profound experience of faith, fraternity, and missionary rejuvenation.

The retreat, held from November 10–14, was directed by Frs. Gregory Arockiam SVD, Gregory Pinto SVD, Ittoop SVD, and Tony Menezes SVD, as an initiative of Arnold Janssen Spirituality Network (AJSN) whose inspiring reflections and missionary insights guided participants through moments of prayer, silence, and shared discernment. Each retreat day inspired deeper engagement with the Gospel and the call to witness creatively and compassionately in today’s complex world.

Participants appreciated the retreat’s prayerful rhythm — from the early morning prayers through the meaningful talks and the Eucharistic celebrations to the evening adoration — as well as the opportunity to encounter God through silence, Scripture, and community. The directors emphasized healing and hope in mission, urging everyone to embody the compassion of Christ amid the wounds of society and the Church.

“Our world is hurting in many ways — socially, ecologically, and spiritually,” reflected one of the retreat directors during a homily. “Yet the Spirit continues to call us to be creative, courageous, and compassionate disciples who bring light where there is darkness. It reminded us that our vocation is not just a task, but a joyful response to God’s love.”

The serene environment of Atmadarshan, with its welcoming community and contemplative spaces, provided an ideal setting for deep reflection and renewal. Participants expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for the well-prepared liturgies, meaningful inputs, and the spirit of fellowship that characterized the days together.

As the retreat concluded with a solemn blessing for mission, many participants shared a renewed sense of purpose and spiritual vitality. It has been “a refreshing encounter with the Lord who heals, sends, and sustains us in His mission.”

Reaffirming the SVD’s commitment to living out the Word in the world, the participants noted, “We return to our communities with renewed energy to serve — to be creative disciples who can bring healing and hope to a wounded humanity.” In addition to spiritual enrichment, the retreat also offered moments of fellowship and dialogue, reinforcing the sense of unity that characterizes the Divine Word family.

The AJS retreats were conducted in all the five SVD provinces, and the INE retreat had the maximum participants of 64 SVDs and 34 SSPS.  The retreats have been a testimony to the enduring vitality of the Society of the Divine Word’s missionary spirit in India, nurturing hearts dedicated to the service of God and humanity.

With gratitude and joy, the SVD and Holy Spirit Sisters felt strengthened in faith and united in their missionary vocation — living out the Society’s enduring vision: “May the Word be our life and our mission.”

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Fr. Mathew Chennakudy brings together academic formation, pastoral zeal, and media savvy. His education at Marquette shaped his approach to faith communication. As founder and editor of The Word Among Us in India, and as editor of Word India, he successfully harnessed magazines as instruments of Scripture-based evangelization—impacting countless individuals through devotional content.

In 2012, he came to INM province. And then he actively participates in pastoral outreach and formation of seminarians. He was Vocational promotor for five years and then he is now the Rector at St. John’s Mission Seminary, Changanacherry, Kerala. He is presently actively involved in education and formation typical for SVD priests.