WHO WE SERVE

AMERICAS

More than just a renewal, the Church in the American continents longs for a new creation, to be reborn from its roots, from its own identity, and from there to recover its courage to project itself to the world in the same spirit of Jesus, the incarnate Word.

  • SOUTH AMERICA

  • NORTH AMERICA

  • CENTRAL AMERICA

  • WEST INDIES

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  • ASIA-PACIFIC

  • AFRICA

  • EUROPE

"THE LANGUAGE THAT ALL PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IS THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE."

− ST. JOSEPH FREINADEMETZ SVD

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Countries are being
served in South
America

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Ecuador

Ecuador

Divine Word Missionaries in Ecuador are strongly committed to the local churches, serving 13 parishes. We reach out to many who benefit from our ministry, such as children and parents in family catechesis programs. We also run formation programs for youth and for the catechists and animators who serve our communities. Divine Word Missionaries attend to the sick, the elderly and the migrants in the country. We call for those who pay attention to human rights, especially in rural areas. We also operate  medical dispensaries and work toward the prevention of drug addiction.

Colombia

Colombia

In Colombia there is not enough work for everyone. For this reason many Colombians decide to go to foreign lands, especially the United States. This migration flow has contributed to drug trafficking on an international level and continues to be a social curse that harms all Colombians. Divine Word Missionaries are working in the dioceses of Quibdó and Montería, and the archdioceses of Medellín, Cali and Bogotá. We take care of 11 parishes and work to bring the missionary charism to life in each of them.

French Guiana

French Guiana

Divine Word Missionaries assume the indigenous mission in the Amazon as a cause of the whole Church. We are in a phase of expanding our work in collaboration with the “Frontier Mission,” a project sponsored by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, in French Guiana.

Brazil

Brazil

Brazil is the fifth most populous country on the planet and accounts for one third of all the inhabitants of Latin America. Our missionary collaboration with the local church occurs in 13 dioceses. We are integrated into the local Churches through our parish ministry. We especially focus our effort on our mission to the indigenous people of the Amazon.

Bolivia

Bolivia

Bolivia has three regions: Plateau, Valleys and the East. Twenty percent of the population lives in extreme poverty. In the area of social work, Divine Word Missionaries are ministering through many centers, including our partnership with CINCA, a nonprofit institute for street children in El Alto, Bolivia’s second-largest city.  We also operate two boarding schools, St. Joseph’s and Guadalupe, in St. Ingnacio de Velasco, and a hostel facility called Arque, which is owned by the Archdiocese of Cochabamba.

Chile

Chile

Years of oppression of indigenous people, especially the Mapuche, has led to the current struggles — sometimes violent — for dignified treatment and for the recovery of lands that were usurped by the Chilean state and handed over to European immigrants. Divine Word Missionaries in Chile have been working in schools since 1902. In Chile our mission has had two major priorities in the last four decades: mission work among the indigenous and the operation and creation of homes for minors. One of our parishes is in the indigenous territory of Quepe, and three missionaries work there.

Paraguay

Paraguay

Divine Word Missionaries provide services to the local Church through pastoral care to urban and rural parishes. The parishes are the platforms that help us to reach those who have been marginalized or displaced. We minister significantly in the area of education; we have five regular schools and two agricultural schools.

Argentina

Argentina

In Argentina, the main task of Divine Word Missionaries centers on the pastoral care of some 24 parishes in four dioceses. In the area of education, the Divine Word Missionaries operate the Roque González Institute. Our missionary presence is identified with aboriginal ministry, and one missionary is dedicated solely to this work. Even though many families in our parishes suffer from a lack of social, economic and educational benefits, we are still able to observe the strength of organizational solidarity.

How we Serve

Learn more about our work and areas of mission around the globe.

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