When the first missionaries of the Society of the Divine Word left the safety and familiarity of Europe for the distant and little-known island of New Guinea, they carried with them not only their few earthly possessions but, above all, a profound faith and an unshakable sense of mission. Their journey was not one of conquest, but of service — a courageous response to the call of Father Arnold Janssen to “go where the need is greatest.”

This book, They Were Sent to New Guinea, seeks to honor those men — priests and brothers — who answered that call with humility, dedication, and love. Through these biographies, we encounter individuals of diverse origins and temperaments, yet united by one common purpose: to make the Word of God known in the remotest corners of the world.

Their paths were often marked by hardship, isolation, and danger. They faced tropical diseases, linguistic barriers, and the vast cultural diversity of New Guinea. Yet, amid these challenges, their perseverance bore fruit — in the schools they founded, the parishes they built, the lives they touched, and the faith communities that continue to thrive today.

This first volume is more than a historical record; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of missionary vocation. Each story invites us to reflect on what it means to be sent — to leave behind comfort and certainty in order to serve others with compassion, courage, and conviction.
May these pages inspire readers to recognize in these missionaries not distant heroes of the past, but living witnesses to the transforming power of faith and the universal call to mission.