OFFICIAL NAME
International Community of the Divine Savior
ALSO KNOWN AS
Lay Salvatorians
ACRONYM
ICDS
ESTABLISHED
2003
HISTORY
Moved by a deep experience of God, the situation of the Church, and the reality of his time, Blessed Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan (1848-1918) was filled with an urgent desire that all people know the one true God and experience fullness of life through Jesus the Savior. Fr Francis’ spirituality was rooted mainly in the words of Holy Scripture: “this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (John 17: 3).
He initiated his work with laity and founded the Apostolic Teaching Society in Rome in 1881. The common roots of the subsequent Society of the Divine Savior, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, and the International Community of the Divine Savior trace back to this event. Both the Society of the Divine Savior and the Congregation grew rapidly due to the intensive apostolic work of Fr Jordan and Mother Mary of the Apostles (Co-founder of the Sisters of the Divine Savior). Due to the reality of the time, Blessed Francis Jordan’s desire to involve the laity actively in evangelization was impossible and gradually lost.
Inspired by the 2nd Vatican Council and motivated by historical research of the Salvatorians themselves, the vision of Fr Jordan was reignited. New lay groups inspired by Blessed Francis' vision were founded in several countries around the world and, in 2003, the ICDS was established.
On 8 December 2022, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life decreed the International Community of the Divine Savior – Lay Salvatorians – as an International Association of the Faithful.
IDENTITY
Lay Salvatorians are persons following in the footsteps of the Savior. They exist primarily to proclaim Salvation to all people, so that by their way of life and in their apostolic activities, all may come "to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17: 3), and have life in all its fullness. They “are called to live and announce God’s unconditional love.”
Their aim is to promote an atmosphere for people to discover salvation in the midst of the hardships, necessities and desires in their daily lives (cf. John 17: 3). In fulfilling this apostolate, they respect the people's dignity and are prepared to serve everyone without distinction – with a preferential option for the poor – by using “all ways and means which the love of Jesus inspires” (Fr Jordan, Rule 1886).
They are defenders of life, human rights, and all of God's creation. They are people who, with their life, give testimony of God's kingdom and find strength by sharing in spiritual community with other Salvatorians. (Matthew 28: 19-20, Mark 16: 15)
The specific task of the International Community of the Divine Savior is apostolically oriented. Through the witness of life and action, they carry out the Salvatorian mission. One of the important aims of their life is to find ways and means to bring the economical, socio-ecological and political realities of their surroundings into accord with the demands of Christian faith and life. Promoting a Christian atmosphere and attitude, they dedicate themselves to renewing human society through the Gospel. They are called to serve those near and far without boundaries of nations, race and ethnicity, ideology, or creed.
ORGANISATION
The Community of the Divine Savior is governed by the General Assembly (GA) – the supreme governing body. This is made up of the General Committee (GC) and the delegates of the individual units (countries). This GC animates and manages the ICDS between the General Assemblies, and appoints a General Secretary and a General Treasurer. Each unit (country) is led by a National Assembly and a National Coordination Team that manages Local and/or Regional Communities of Lay Salvatorians.
Becoming an ICDS member is completed through various stages (period of welcome and discernment): Interested Person; Candidate; Committed Member.
WEBSITE
HEADQUARTERS
International Community of the Divine Savior - ICDS
c/o Curia Generalizia della Società del Divin Salvatore
Via della Conciliazione 51 - 00193 Roma – Italy
Email: office@laysalvatorians.org
