India: SVD Launches Media Training to Form Creative Missionary Communicators in the Digital Age

The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) opened a three-day Communication and Media Training on 18 August, at the SVD Regional House in Guwahati (ING), drawing priests, religious and lay collaborators from across the region. 

The event is being held under the theme “Creative Discipleship in the Digital Age: Media for Healing and Hope.”

The day commenced with Morning Prayer and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Jeevan Kennedy, SVD, Regional Superior of the ING Province. In his homily, he underscored communication as a ministry of communion and encouraged the participants to become “bridges of Good News in a fragmented world.”

The inaugural session formally began with the enthronement of the Word of God and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Fr. Anthony Swamy, SVD welcomed the participants and guest speakers.

In his opening address, Fr. Jeevan encouraged everyone to embrace creativity in their media ministry, reminding them that “communication is the craft of the heart” and that “every click tells a story, may ours proclaim the Gospel.”

Fr. Kasmir Nema, SVD, General Communications Coordinator, delivered the keynote address titled “Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World: A Communicative Paradigm for Mission.” 

He described communication as a prophetic and synodal ministry rooted in hope and invited participants to move from monologue to dialogue, and from merely producing content to embodying the message.

“We are not influencers,” he emphasized, “but missionary messengers and transmitters of sacred stories.”

An open forum followed, during which participants raised concerns about the dangers of sponsored narratives, the challenge of discerning truth in the digital public square, and the need for authenticity in Catholic communication.

The morning continued with a presentation by award-winning filmmaker Mr. Dominic Sangma, who reflected on how his Indigenous roots and Christian faith have shaped his storytelling. Calling cinema “a therapy that heals the soul,” he used clips from his films MA.AMA and RAPTURE to illustrate how films can evangelize through truth and empathy.

In the afternoon, Fr. Christian Tauchner, SVD gave an online presentation on the identity of the SVD and the foundations of digital evangelization. Drawing on key Church documents such as Inter Mirifica, Communio et Progressio, and Towards Full Presence, he emphasized that communication is not simply a functional tool, but a core element of the SVD’s missionary vocation.

This was followed by a practical workshop led by Fr. Anthony Swamy, SVD, ASPAC Communication Coordinator, who guided participants in creating digital content using Canva. The day concluded with a demonstration of Canva’s AI tools, which left participants encouraged and better equipped to communicate healing and hope in the digital space.

The three-day training will continue until August 20 with additional workshops, sharing sessions and theological reflections aimed at strengthening a culture of creative, hope-filled, and transformative communication.