By Anthony Le Duc SVD

On September 8, 2024, the Society of the Divine Word worldwide inaugurated the Jubilee Year celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding with the theme: "Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere, for Everyone." In the Australia Province, we marked this significant occasion with a simple yet profound opening ritual, featuring processions of the Bible, the globe, the Jubilee logo, and the Jubilee candle. Each symbol embodies the deep missionary spirituality of the SVD.

This ritual coincided with the priestly ordination of Cuong Quoc Dang, SVD, marking the beginning of his own journey as a missionary – a witness to the Light. My reflection on this Jubilee theme is deeply inspired by this event, particularly as it relates to our Australia Province. As Cuong Dang begins his journey of witnessing to the Light, it is worth considering several key principles that not only guide him but all of us.

First, witnessing to the Light stems from faith. The vocation of an evangeliser is not founded on human wisdom or worldly power but on faith—faith in the truths received through Christ. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ with confidence, anchored in His promises. The term "Light" in the Jubilee theme refers to none other than Christ, the Incarnate Word. Our witness must flow from this deep well of faith, led by the Holy Spirit, and grounded in the teachings of the Church and our personal relationship with Christ, who shapes our life, vocation, and mission.

Second, witnessing to the Light must be contextually relevant. As an international congregation serving in 80 countries, we come from everywhere, to serve everyone. Cuong Dang's journey, from his humble beginnings in central Vietnam to his time as an undocumented migrant worker in Thailand, reflects this diversity. Among the tens of thousands of Vietnamese migrants in Thailand, God called Cuong to be a witness to the Light. Now, as he embarks on his first assignment in Angola—a country vastly different from his own—his mission exemplifies the importance of cultural integration, dialogue, and understanding in our missionary work.

Being a witness to the Light is not merely about proclaiming doctrine; it is about making the Light visible and transformative in the community we serve. This calls for us to engage with others, to listen, and to respond to their real needs. It challenges us to be present – to be on the ground – in their joys and sorrows, sharing in their lived experiences and fostering a genuine connection rooted in compassion and understanding. Witnessing to the Light requires us to move beyond mere instruction and instead embody empathy and humility.

Third, witnessing to the Light is about creatively energising others. The role of the witness is not only to convey information but also to spread transformative energy. Indeed, we are called to be witnesses to the divine Light, which is Jesus, who shines the way to the Kingdom of God. Therefore, our proclamation of the Good News must illuminate a vision of a future filled with hope and promise.

Proclaiming in an energising manner includes moving away from the status quo and presenting new visions that align with God’s plan of salvation. This requires a fundamental shift in attitude and behaviour, especially in our relationships with one another, indeed with all creation. Proclaiming the Good News about Christ, about His incarnation and His Paschal mystery, is aimed at inspiring people to recognise the possibility of a new heaven and a new earth—a completely new order, not just a rearrangement of the old.

Fourth, witnessing to the Light requires courage in confronting the dark realities of the world. This involves speaking truth to power—not "my truth" or "your truth" as is often said today, but the eternal truth of Christ. We must be willing to challenge the forces of injustice, suffering, and oppression, even when it is difficult. As missionaries, we are called to speak out against narratives intended to obscure, distort, and hide the truth while perpetuating inequality, marginalisation, and environmental destruction. In doing so, we uphold the Gospel values of justice, compassion, and solidarity, especially with the poor and vulnerable.

On Cuong's ordination card, he chose a verse from the Gospel of Luke: "Foxes have dens, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Luke 9:58). Cuong chose this Gospel verse, words spoken by Jesus about Himself, because somewhere in this image, he must have seen himself, once a migrant worker in a foreign land, then a seminarian going through formation programs in three different countries, and now, after ordination, sent to serve in a distant country in Africa.

However, through this verse, Cuong not only communicates about his own situation but also expresses solidarity with those in similar circumstances, those who are displaced, homeless, and uprooted due to war, violence, natural disasters, or economic hardship. His message speaks to the broader challenges facing our world today—social inequality, environmental degradation, and moral decay. In the face of these realities, the witness has the responsibility to raise a prophetic voice to break through complacency, apathy, and indifference and to stimulate reflection and critical thinking. Gospel values need to be upheld and affirmed in response to actions and trends that go against human dignity, societal well-being, and the integrity of creation. Like the prophet Amos, the witness also calls for “justice [to] roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). The proclamation of the Good News always includes a call for conversion, turning away from sin, and moving toward the light of Christ.

Lastly, witnessing to the Light always includes the witness of action. There is a familiar saying attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Of course, proclaiming the Good News through words is indispensable, but the life of the witness must be a living testimony of the Gospel they preach. In many cultures, non-verbal communication plays a significant role in conveying a message. Therefore, gestures and actions often convey things that words alone cannot.

St Teresa of Avila pointed out that Christ no longer has a body but ours. Indeed, our eyes are the eyes through which He looks at each person with love and compassion. Our hands are the hands through which He soothes and heals the wounds of others. Our feet are the feet through which He reaches out to the poor, the forgotten by society, and the sinners who are lost.

As we reflect on the theme of the Jubilee Year—"Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere, for Everyone"—let us allow the Light of Christ to envelop us, guiding us in our mission. May it bring us peace in moments of challenge and fill us with joy and wonder as we continue our journey.

May God bless and accompany us on every step of the path as we witness to the Light for all people, especially those to whom we are sent to serve.

Fr Anthony Le Duc SVD is in ministry in Bangkok, Thailand.

PHOTO: The Divine Word Missionaries gathered after the Ordination Mass of Fr Cuong Dang SVD, which incorporated the opening of the 150th Jubilee Year of the SVD.