SVD Philippines

The Philippines is the last country where SVD missionaries were sent by St. Arnold. From a pair of missionaries who arrived and worked in Pilar, Abra on August 15, 1909, its membership flourished tremendously. Because of this promising sign, more mission stations were given to the SVD through some bishops' consent and request. With this rapid expansion, SVD Philippines decided to divide itself into three territorial provinces in 1981 namely: Northern Province, Central Province and Southern Province.

Presently, there are about 526 SVD priests, brothers and scholastics. Some are engaged in administering and teaching in leading schools like the Divine Word Colleges in Luzon and the two Universities in the Visayas - The University of San Carlos Cebu City and the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Faithful to St. Arnold's vision and mission - to spread the Word of God in mission - the SVD continues to engage in the formation of its members, other religious and the diocesan clergy. Formation centers and seminaries are being maintained by SVD Philippines to address the need to strengthen committed members as well as to prepare those who will respond to the call of God.

SVD Vocation Centers are located in the following: In Luzon: Christ the King Mission Seminary (Quezon City) and Divine Word Formation Center (Urdaneta, Pangasinan); in Visayas: Brothers' Formation House and SVD Vocation Office for Clerics (Cebu City) and in Mindanao: Divine Word Formation Center (Davao City).