The Arnold Janssen Spirituality Network (AJSN) marked a major milestone with the successful hosting of its first-ever AFRAM SVD-SSpS Workshop, held at the Arnold Janssen Spirituality Centre in Accra, Ghana. The two-week intensive workshop, from May 18 to 30, 2025, brought together participants from across the AFRAM Zone for a deeply enriching encounter centered on the theme “Interculturality and Spirituality.”
The workshop focused on key spiritual insights drawn from the founding generation of the Arnoldus Family. Participants explored the core of SVD Spirituality and Mission, deepening their appreciation for the legacy of St. Arnold Janssen and the congregations he inspired. A major theme was Spirituality and Community Life, where participants engaged in honest conversations addressing common misconceptions surrounding community life in religious congregations.
Participants also received formation in:
- Preparing retreat modules tailored to the ongoing work of AJSN,
- The essential elements of a fruitful retreat experience,
- Skills in Spiritual Direction, and
- Effective communication techniques for evangelization in a diverse and rapidly changing world.
The sessions were both theoretical and practical, empowering the participants to return to their communities as agents of spiritual renewal and intercultural dialogue.
As part of the experience, the group made a spiritual-cultural journey to Elmina, where they visited Elmina Castle — a site deeply connected to Ghana’s colonial and missionary history — and enjoyed the natural beauty of Kakum National Park.
The workshop concluded with a guided retreat, allowing time for personal reflection, prayer, and recommitment. In the final session, participants were encouraged to share and promote the spiritual heritage of the Arnoldus Family in their communities
