The SVD - Societas Verbi Divini (Latin), Society of the Divine Word (English) or plainly Divine Word Missionaries is a modern international religious missionary congregation for men founded by Saint Arnold Janssen in 1875 in Steyl, Holland.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Saint Arnold Janssen answered the need of the Church in his time by founding two other religious congregations for women; the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (active) and the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit for Perpetual Adoration (contemplative).

At present there are more than 6,000 SVDs with 35 nationalities working in 67 countries worldwide.  In the Philippines, the Divine Word Missionaries arrived in Bangued, Abra in 1909. Today, it is evident that the missionary grains planted by Saint Arnold on the Philippine soil is now bearing hundreds of fruits. Now, there are more than 500 Filipino SVDs and around 120 of them are working abroad.

In the Philippines the SVD has three ecclesiastical provinces: The Philippine North (PHN) that comprises missionary works of Pangasinan to Aparri, the Philippine Central (PHC) that covers Tarlac, Manila, Mindoro, Bicol and Palawan and the Philippine South (PHS) who are present in the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

The SVD Philippine Southern Province works on: Formation, Education and Pastoral ministries. 

On Formation:  Young candidates for the priesthood are train in the Divine Word Formation Center in Davao, City while seminarians for brotherhood are form in the Freinademetz Formation House in Cebu City.

On Education:  We run the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol and Liceo del Verbo Divino in Tacloban City, Leyte.   

On Pastoral Ministries:  We have 1 parish in Cebu City, 5 parishes in Surigao del Norte, 6 in Agusan del Sur and 2 in Zamboanga, Sibugay – Olutanga Island.  We manage Radio Stations, Steyler Canteen and Catholic Trade Cebu, Inc and Retreat House.  We also work on cooperatives, adopted communities, depressed areas and dialogue with faith seekers and other religions.

OUR VISION:  We, members of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), an international religious-missionary congregation of brothers and priest, founded by Saint Arnold Janssen and named after the Divine Word, envision a world where dialogue is possible because people, inspired by the Word of God and empowered by the Spirit, respect the uniqueness of each person and accept all nations and peoples.

OUR MISSION: As confreres belonging to the SVD Province of the Southern Philippines, we promote and integrate in our lives and apostolates the following: Bible; Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation; Mission Animation; and Communication.