Origin from 1875
The Society of the Divine Word, popularly known as the Verbites or Divine Word Missionaries, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men, established at Steyl in the Netherlands in 1875 by the diocesan priest Arnold Janssen. Its formation emerged from the Kulturkampf, a church state conflict in Germany that expelled religious groups and closed seminaries, so that many of the society's early recruits were German priests and religious exiles seeking refuge in the Netherlands. As of 2020 the society comprised 5,965 members, priests and religious brothers together, working across more than 70 countries, ranking among the largest missionary congregations in the Catholic Church, with its General Motherhouse in Rome.
Facts
Classification
Kind of orderCatholic Religious Orders and Congregations 1 Who may join Who may joinLay and Ordained Together 2 Origins
Origin Period Belief
Defining Doctrinal PositionCatholic Apostolic Magisterial Authority 2 Practice
Liturgical Language Liturgical Language Organisation
OrdinationHoly Orders / Apostolic Succession 2 OrdinationVowed Religious Profession (not ordained) 2 Status
Status TodayLiving tradition, practised today 1 Connections
Belongs to Tradition
Originated In
Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Society of the Divine Word
Rooted In
Source Wikipedia: Society of the Divine Word
Uses Liturgical Language
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Society of the Divine Word
Wikipedialead paragraph
The Society of the Divine Word (Latin: Societas Verbi Divini), popularly called the Verbites or the Divine Word Missionaries, and sometimes the Steyler Missionaries, is a Catholic clerical r
Introduction, apostolate
It is one of the largest missionary congregations in the Catholic Church.
Introduction, membership eligibility
As of 2020, it consisted of 5,965 members composed of priests and religious brothers working in more than 70 countries, now part of VIVAT international.
Rooted In: Roman Catholicism, Lead section
The Society of the Divine Word (Latin: Societas Verbi Divini), popularly called the Verbites or the Divine Word Missionaries, and sometimes the Steyler Missionaries, is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men.
View the Source 2. Islamic Mysticism: A Short History
Alexander Knysh, Brill
Wikidata: Society of the Divine Word
Wikidata Q696656, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): Society of the Divine Word
Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent)Originated In: Netherlands, Opening article textQuote, Originated In: Netherlands, Opening article text
It was founded in 1875 during the period of the Kulturkampf at Steyl, near Tegelen, Holland
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
Choose a year to see this entry's facts and connections as the atlas records them at that moment: what it held then, what it held instead, and what it had not yet adopted. Choose Present for the current record.