In a ceremony rich with spiritual significance and cultural vibrancy, eleven young men professed their first religious vows to become members of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) at a solemn celebration held in Kwahu Nkwatia, Eastern Region of Ghana.
The profession marks the beginning of formal religious life for the candidates, who now enter into full membership within the international missionary congregation founded in 1875 by St. Arnold Janssen in Steyl, the Netherlands.
Presiding over the ceremony was Very Rev. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol, SVD, the provincial superior of the Ghana and Liberia Province of the SVD. Addressing the newly professed, Fr. Kuupol reminded them, “Your vows are a visible witness to the world that God still calls, and young people still respond.”

The profession of temporary vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience) marks a significant step in the candidates’ formation journey toward full membership in the international missionary congregation. These vows are renewed annually as the members continue theological studies and pastoral formation, eventually leading to final vows and ordination for those called to the priesthood.
Families, fellow confreres, religious sisters, friends, and members of the local Church gathered in large numbers to witness and support the milestone. The liturgy was adorned with vibrant Ghanaian music, dance, and symbols, embodying the SVD’s strong commitment to interculturality and local expressions of faith. Founded in 1875 by St. Arnold Janssen, the Society of the Divine Word serves in over 80 countries across the globe, with missions focused on evangelization, education, interreligious dialogue, and social development. The ceremony at Kwahu Nkwatia is a testament to the growing strength of religious vocations in Africa and the continued relevance of missionary life today.