The Media Production Center is a ministry of of the Divine Word Missionaries in the Southern United States. The Divine Word Missionaries is a worldwide missionary group of priests and brothers. Founded in 1875 the SVD's (as they are called) opened the first seminary for African American men in 1919. For years this was the only place young men could study for the priesthood.

 

The Center originally began creating slide shows for use in catechesis back in 1977. In 1981 the Center became a full time ministry. Offices were and still are located at the historic St. Augustine Seminary in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

 

The Society of the Divine Word since its beginnings in 1875 has always valued the importance of communication in spreading the good news. From the beginning the Order established printing presses in the countries where they labored. So it was no wonder that the priests and brothers of the Divine Word Southern Province felt it good to reach out with the printed word. So it was the monthly newsletter called IN A WORD began in 1983.

 

The guiding thoughts behind the publication was to provide information for and about the African American Catholic community. The SVD felt that a simple four page newsletter that could be inserted in parish bulletins would be most beneficial. Parishes throughout the United States responded to this effort by subscribing.

 

In all these years the publication has been positive in bringing quality photos and articles that are uplifting and encouraging.

 

The monthly provides people with easy to read information that is normally ignored by the main stream press.

 

Within two years IN A WORD was reaching over 30,000 people in 300 plus parishes and schools. When the 1987 National Black Catholic Congress took place IN A WORD published a special edition commemorating the event. Some 70,000 copies were printed and sent out to parishes, dioceses, schools, individuals to all parts of the United States.

 

IN A WORD began a web site in 1995. Eventually copies of the publication were placed Online. However, in 2010 with the closing of many parishes, rising costs and economic times that made keeping subscriptions impossible for parishes the decision was made to change to an only on line format.

 

Videos are also produced by the Divine Word Missionaries in Bay St. Louis. At the present time the Divine Word Missionaries have the largest video library pertaining to African American Catholics in the USA.

 

As with the printed word our videos are produced for use in parish group settings. We have produced many video documentaries as well.

 

We have traveled the country taping many events such as all the National Black Catholic Congress gatherings and workshops, Knights of Peter Claver conventions, and other important occasions. These documentaries have become priceless for no one else has bothered to chronicle the events as we have done.

 

For more information on the videos or for a list of various videos produced contact us at inawordsvd@gmail.com