Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (VDM)

Verbum Dei is an international Catholic Community founded by Fr. Jaime Bonet (a diocesan priest) in Mallorca, Spain in 1963, receiving Pontifical approval on the 15th April, 2000 as an Institute of Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church.

At the core of Verbum Dei Fraternity there are three missionary branches: consecrated women, men (priests), who consecrate their lives to God through the profession of evangelical vows, and missionary couples who consecrate themselves to God. We are united with one and the same charism and mission. The community embraces people of all states and walks of life. Those who feel attracted to our charism and spirituality can become disciples of the community who participate in our activities and support us in carrying out our specific mission.

As a seminarian, our founder, Fr. Jaime Bonet, was deeply aware of the urgent need to proclaim the Good News. He was going to the surrounding towns of Mallorca conducting retreats for young people, enabling them to have a strong encounter with the Living Word of God - Christ.

A group of young women were drawn to do the same as Fr. Jaime was doing. They started to live as a community, wanting to dedicate their whole life to prayer and the ministry of the Word. (C.f. Acts 6:4) Very soon afterwards, they began to study theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where they completed their Masters and Doctorate in Theology.

In 1969, the missionary movement extended to young men who experienced the same attraction to live out this charism.

In that same year, some couples and lay people joined the movement. From their own state of life, they too were drawn to prayer and the ministry of the word.

Missionary expansion started in the first years of the community. Our community of Sydney, Australia was opened in 1990 by Juana Crespi. Then in 2000, we were offered a position as chaplain at the University of Wollongong. Consequently, our community of Wollongong was opened in 2001.

The Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity is a contemplative-active, apostolic-missionary institute of consecrated life. Our objective is to form apostles of Christ from among people of every state of life.(C.f. Mt 28:19-20) We are dedicated to living and propagating the Kingdom of God by announcing the Word of God since we believe that the Word of God is what put people in touch with God, who is Love. Through this personal encounter with God, people’s hearts are transformed into Love. In this way, we try to help the society to be transformed from within.

Therefore, prayer with the Word of God is a vital part of the community's daily life. "It is in this intimate dialogue with the Word, or prayer, that our calling and mission to preach the gospel is rooted.” (Verbum Dei Constitution #15). Preaching the Word of God for us is transmitting God's life that we receive in prayer. Essential to our mission is to enable others to do the same. (2Tim 2:2) The love of Christ urges us to present the power of the Love of God in Christian fraternities.

We carry out our Mission through offering:

• Daily input for prayer with the Word of God
• School of the Word (Prayer with the Word of God)
• School of Apostles (formation for people committed to evangelise)
• Weekend/day retreats for young people, adults, and couples
• Silent retreats (guided prayer with the Word of God)
• University Chaplaincy Ministry
• Spiritual accompaniment

Candidates who desire to enter our Community are firstly required to be part of the Weekly School of Apostles where they receive formation and learn how to share the Word of God with others personally or by giving talks.

During the School of Apostles, there is a vocational (single, married or consecrated) discernment period. For those who opt for consecrated life, they then begin a vocational experience in the community for between 6 months to 1 year, which may be combined with work or study and Mission.

If the person responds to the values of our charism they then begin a Formation Course which is for a period of two years.

The subsequent five years would be invested in Theological studies. For those who have the capacity, they are invited to study a Doctorate in order to be well prepared for the Mission.

Effectively, the formation of our spiritual and missionary life continues even after these initial years, i.e. permanent formation.