The Society of the Divine Word promotes renewal courses, biblical courses, retreats and workshops. We also invite other groups to come and hold their own workshops, chapters, retreats, renewal programs. Sharing Christ through the Word builds vibrant Catholic communities of faith.
ABOUT US
Centro Ad Gentes, a Conference & Retreat Center, is owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word, an order of 6,000 Catholic missionary priests and Brothers who serve in 67 countries in: Educational Institutions, Seminaries, Promotion of Peace and Justice, Communications Media, Retreat Centers, Biblical Apostolate, Parish Ministry, Social Work for Refugees and Immigrants and Prison Ministry.
Located in Nemi, within the Regional Park of the Alban Hills, the Ad Gentes Centre has been completely renovated and celebrated the 50th anniversary of its inauguration with the extraordinary visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Surrounded by lush greenery and offering a unique atmosphere, the Centre provides the ideal setting for conferences, retreats, General Chapters, and spiritual gatherings. It welcomes guests seeking a peaceful environment where they can meet, reflect, and share meaningful experiences in complete tranquillity.
Located in Nemi, within the Regional Park of the Alban Hills, the Ad Gentes Centre has been completely renovated and celebrated the 50th anniversary of its inauguration with the extraordinary visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Surrounded by lush greenery and offering a unique atmosphere, the Centre provides the ideal setting for conferences, retreats, General Chapters, and spiritual gatherings. It welcomes guests seeking a peaceful environment where they can meet, reflect, and share meaningful experiences in complete tranquillity.
HOSPITALITY
Whether yours is a religious congregation, religious institution or simply a group, consider what Centro Ad Gentes offers:
- 100 guest rooms (some of which are double) with private baths, accommodating 130 guests
- A modern and efficient convention hall for 140 participants
- Three expandable session halls for groups
- A main chapel for 150 persons, three small chapels and a meditation room.
- Dining services that meet individual and group needs
- Spacious, relaxing grounds and the natural surroundings of our wooded paths providing ample opportunities to reflect and mediate
- Internet access, white boards, audiovisual equipment, and sound systems
- Break rooms, serving coffee and tea
- Computers at the lobby for email use
- In house parking for cars and buses
Services and Amenities
Guest Rooms
Our single rooms and double rooms which have been recently renovated and refurnished are designed to provide a comfortable sleeping environment for all guests.
Conference Hall
The Conference Hall of Centro Ad Gentes is brand new. This fully air-conditioned Hall was built to accommodate the growing needs of religious organizations and institutions for their chapters, retreats, conferences and planning sessions. It can be used totally independent of other activities.
With a sitting capacity of 140 persons, the conference hall offers many amenities.
With a sitting capacity of 140 persons, the conference hall offers many amenities.
Liturgical Functions/Chapels
Centro Ad Gentes is home to four chapels. The main chapel seats 150 persons. There are three smaller chapels and are available for guests attending meetings and conferences. These chapels reflect the intercultural charism and vision of the Divine Word Missionaries.
Mass in Italian is celebrated daily at the Annunciation Chapel as well as Lodes and Vespers.
Mass in Italian is celebrated daily at the Annunciation Chapel as well as Lodes and Vespers.
Dining/Food Services
Centro Ad Gentes has two main dining rooms that can hold two groups. They are located on the ground floor facing Lake Nemi. The house serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and are basically Italian cuisine. Coffee and tea are available at any time from the machines in the corridor. Located in the dining room is a machine with sodas which operates with coins.
SVD Apostolates
The Society of the Divine Word (Societas Verbi Divini - SVD), popularly called the Divine Word Missionaries, (sometimes the Steyler Missionaries) founded by Saint Arnold Janssen, is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It is a missionary congregation composed of over 6.000 priests and brothers working in about 67 countries in the world.
Divine Word Missionaries are engaged in a variety of apostolates in the service of the people of God and the Church such as:
Divine Word Missionaries are engaged in a variety of apostolates in the service of the people of God and the Church such as:
- Biblical Apostolate
- Educational Institutions
- Seminaries
- Justice & Peace
- Communication Media
- Retreat Centers
- Parish Ministry
- Social Work
- Ministry with Refugees, Immigrants and Prisons.
Purpose
In the light of St. Arnold Janssen′s vision for periodic religious missionary renewal, the Centro Ad Gentes aims to serve as a venue for ongoing formation for Divine Word Missionaries, members of the Arnoldus Family, their mission partners, and for lay people, religious, and clerics, as a Church called to share in the mission of Jesus, the Word Incarnate.
The SVD team understand that the Centro Ad Gentes is An International Missionary Formation Center. We understand Ad Gentes both in the sense of Vatican II and also as being inclusive of all people. Since it is for all we stress the need for dialogue and witness. The Centro is not just Church centered but open to non Catholics and people of other religions. "God loved ad gentes so much that he sent his only Son", it is the Missio Deo.
Those who come to the Centro should feel an intercultural atmosphere and intercultural respect. The Centro wishes to promote a prayerful atmosphere through silence, the Word of God, symbols, and the green area as a sign of God′s love for creation.
The Centro was dedicated to the Holy Spirit (21 October 1962) who is the driving force of all formation and spirituality. The Spirit breaths forth the love of the Triune God. Those who come here for workshops, courses, retreats, chapters come to deepen their involvement in mission.
The SVD community strives to work as a team at the service of international activities, retreats and workshops. The focus is that of being a family and witness. We must live what we preach. The team at the Centro sees its own role as a service for others through hospitality, availability and solidarity.
The Centro Ad Gentes specifically wishes to promote approaches which are considered important challenges at present: International/Intercultural living, formation for renewal as an ongoing process, gender related issues, the need for tolerance, promotion of justice and peace, outreach to youth and the centrality of the Word.
The SVD team understand that the Centro Ad Gentes is An International Missionary Formation Center. We understand Ad Gentes both in the sense of Vatican II and also as being inclusive of all people. Since it is for all we stress the need for dialogue and witness. The Centro is not just Church centered but open to non Catholics and people of other religions. "God loved ad gentes so much that he sent his only Son", it is the Missio Deo.
Those who come to the Centro should feel an intercultural atmosphere and intercultural respect. The Centro wishes to promote a prayerful atmosphere through silence, the Word of God, symbols, and the green area as a sign of God′s love for creation.
The Centro was dedicated to the Holy Spirit (21 October 1962) who is the driving force of all formation and spirituality. The Spirit breaths forth the love of the Triune God. Those who come here for workshops, courses, retreats, chapters come to deepen their involvement in mission.
The SVD community strives to work as a team at the service of international activities, retreats and workshops. The focus is that of being a family and witness. We must live what we preach. The team at the Centro sees its own role as a service for others through hospitality, availability and solidarity.
The Centro Ad Gentes specifically wishes to promote approaches which are considered important challenges at present: International/Intercultural living, formation for renewal as an ongoing process, gender related issues, the need for tolerance, promotion of justice and peace, outreach to youth and the centrality of the Word.
Our Services
Hospitality and Accommodation
Spiritual Retreats
Conference Rooms
Training and Meetings
Chapel and Prayer Areas
Retreats and Courses 2026
Retreat Team:
P. Thomas Heck SVD, P. Seraphin Kpakpayi SVD,
P. Kulandaisamy Soosai SVD, P. Carlos Paniagua-Monroy SVD
Our religious life tradition recommends that we take "time out" every year to have a "retreat". Most of us know the so-called "preached retreat", in which a resource person talks about a specific theme. However, you may feel the need to follow more your own process, to have space and time to focus on what′s going on in your heart, between God and you. The individually guided retreat, we are offering, provides the time and the opportunity to pay attention to your longings and questions. You will have the space to pray and to consider decisions you need to make or priorities you want to set. Daily Eucharist and the daily talk with the personal retreat guide will help you to focus, reflect and discern on whatever is important for you. In General the main language will be English, but we have facility to accompany too in: French, German, Tamil, Spanish, (depending on the availability). The atmosphere of silence during the retreat and the beautiful landscape are a wonderful setting for experiencing a sacred and restful time of grace.
Programed weeks of retreat in 2026:
April 30 - May 6
July 9 - 15
September 20 - 26
All Guided Retreats begin with supper 1st Day and end with lunch last Day.
Note: Guided retreats may also be arranged on an individual basis throughout the year depending on available dates and languages.
P. Thomas Heck SVD, P. Seraphin Kpakpayi SVD,
P. Kulandaisamy Soosai SVD, P. Carlos Paniagua-Monroy SVD
Our religious life tradition recommends that we take "time out" every year to have a "retreat". Most of us know the so-called "preached retreat", in which a resource person talks about a specific theme. However, you may feel the need to follow more your own process, to have space and time to focus on what′s going on in your heart, between God and you. The individually guided retreat, we are offering, provides the time and the opportunity to pay attention to your longings and questions. You will have the space to pray and to consider decisions you need to make or priorities you want to set. Daily Eucharist and the daily talk with the personal retreat guide will help you to focus, reflect and discern on whatever is important for you. In General the main language will be English, but we have facility to accompany too in: French, German, Tamil, Spanish, (depending on the availability). The atmosphere of silence during the retreat and the beautiful landscape are a wonderful setting for experiencing a sacred and restful time of grace.
Programed weeks of retreat in 2026:
April 30 - May 6
July 9 - 15
September 20 - 26
All Guided Retreats begin with supper 1st Day and end with lunch last Day.
Note: Guided retreats may also be arranged on an individual basis throughout the year depending on available dates and languages.
Reflections
Gallery
Contact Us
Centro ad Gentes
Via dei Laghi, 52 Bis
00074 NEMI (RM)
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