Dear Friends,

Greetings from Nemi, in Italy, where I am attending a workshop for 35 newly elected Provincial, Regional, and Mission (PRM) Superiors of the Society of the Divine Word.

So far, it has been an inspiring and invigorating gathering, under the theme of ‘Synodal Leadership in Service of Missio Dei’.

In the first week, we reflected on two key dimensions of contemporary missionary leadership: guiding communities through authentic transformation; and fostering intercultural communities as a living expression of mission.

The first session, led by Fr Yago Abeledo Madueño, invited participants to reflect on leadership in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Describing today's context as fragile, anxious, nonlinear, and often difficult to understand, he emphasised that leaders are called not to seek control, but to cultivate discernment.

The next session focused on intercultural leadership, bringing together four SVD panellists from different continents who shared their experiences and insights on building communities across cultures.

For the newly elected PRM Superiors, the first day's reflections reinforced a central conviction: authentic leadership begins with personal and communal conversion, while intercultural community remains one of the most powerful signs of missionary witness in today's world.

The participants represent the Society's four zones—AFRAM, ASPAC, EUROPA, and PANAM—and are joined by members of the General Council, Generalate officials, zone coordinators, resource persons, translators, and support staff.

As a new Provincial, I have found this gathering to be extremely valuable so far. Coming together from so many different places, sharing stories, thoughts and even worries about what lies ahead of us, we have found that we share much in common, even though we come from so many different places.

We have also delved into the spirituality of our founder St Arnold Janssen and the early missionaries and have been invited to consider how we can continue to live and foster this spirituality and charism in our own circumstances today.

The topic that really touched me was about Synodal Leadership. We have learnt that it is about Listening in the Spirit. Sometimes as leaders, we talk too much. Synodal leadership challenges us to listen with the heart, with compassion, as a pastoral leader. We are also encouraged to acknowledge our own vulnerabilities and woundedness and to see ourselves as broken vessels, relying on God’s grace in our leadership and our relationships with one another.

So, I am enjoying my time here and learning a lot. I am always thinking of my Province, of the SVD members and the people we serve. This time in Nemi, although there are still two weeks to go, has already helped me to be a more humble, listening leader. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to come together with other new leaders in the Society and to learn from and support each other.

I have also been richly blessed by my first visit to Rome, where we have so far visited the four Papal Basilicas, the Vatican, and the SVD’s Collegio del Verbo Divino. Seeing these places which are so foundational in the story of our faith has been very enriching spiritually.

Please be assured that I am keeping everyone at home in my prayers.

Yours in the Word,

Fr Boni Buahendri SVD,

Provincial.