The Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (VDMF) is a Catholic contemplative-active community founded in 1963 by Rev. Jaime Bonet in Mallorca, Spain parallel to the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. As a pontifically approved Institute of Consecrated Life, the community is present in 31 countries and is dedicated to prayer and ministry of the Word.
Strictly understood, our mission, summarized in the motto of the disciples of Jesus: Prayer and Ministry of the Word, will make up two moments of the same activity, polarized and centered in the LIVING WORD - JESUS. Contemplated and transmitted in us, carved in us and projected, participated and shared, received in communion and made unceasing communion among all and for all.
Verbum Dei Statutes #91
The same call, different paths
One of the aspects that makes the Verbum Dei a new form of consecrated life, is that it is one community with three branches.
Jaime saw that the members of the community in their life as disciples must follow Jesus, living and integrating the oneness into the call to mission. “May they all be one” (John 17:21) and “go and make disciples of all peoples” (Matthew 28:19)
Women who choose celibacy and consecrate themselves to God by means of the public profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and who live in community with a total missionary availability.
Men who choose celibacy and consecrate themselves to God by means of the public profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and who live in community with a total missionary availability. They may choose to live as brothers or be ordained to the priesthood
Married couples who within the sacrament of matrimony dedicate their life to the charism and mission of the Verbum Dei. They make sacred bonds of poverty, chastity and obedience according to their conjugal state and family life.
The Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (community) is part of the greater Verbum Dei Family which is formed of people of all states of life who feel called to the same mission and charism.