The SVD is an international religious missionary community of Priests and Brothers with more than 6,000 members including those who are in temporary vows. It was founded by St. Arnold Janssen in Steyl, Holland on September 8, 1875. The Philippines is the last country where SVD missionaries were sent by St. Arnold. From a pair of missionaries who arrived and worked in Pilar, Abra on August 15, 1909, it’s membership flourished tremendously. Because of this promising sign, more mission stations were given to the SVD through some bishops’ consent and request. Presently, there are about 526 Filipino SVD priests and brothers. Some are engaged in administering and teaching in leading schools like the Divine Word Colleges in Luzon and the two Universities in the Visayas – the University of San Carlos in Cebu City and the Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol - Divine Word Formation Center Divine Word College Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.