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Spirituality
Viatorian
Spirituality Document
 Spirituality is a dynamic process, the result of a
relationship with God, with people, and with the cosmos,
a dynamic process that deeply unifies the corporal,
affective, and intelligent aspects of the person. It
brings about an integration of eros, friendship,
and agape. That is why everything in spiritual
men and women is filled with God, who is Love.
 Viatorian Spirituality is nourished by the
spirituality of Father Louis Querbes, by his charism as
our founder, and especially by the Spirit who guided
his personal history. It perpetuates certain traits
particular to its origins: a spirituality of the laity
and a spirituality of consecrated life. It is deeply
marked by faith and the dimensions of mission.
 Imbued with Sacred Scripture, Father Querbes lived a
biblical spirituality. During his time on earth, Jesus continued extending an
invitation to faith, responsibility, and giving. Our
founder responded to that invitation, truly blending
together adoration and love, which leads to
contemplation and mission.
Father Querbes' life was characterized by two verbs –
believing and loving. Viatorians are called to follow
his example – embracing the phrase “faith in action”.
 Additionally, Father Querbes called each Viatorian to adopt
the following phrases and personal mottos as a guide to
the spiritual life: “Look at zeal; it is love that is
more intense, more alive, more ardent; it is yours.
Zeal is nothing less than divine love set in motion….it
is tenderness, compassion, humility...zeal is charity in
its fullest expression.” The cornerstone motto, which
seems to have been created by our founder, remains the
motto of the Viatorian Community, “Adored and
Loved be Jesus”. It is because of one’s contemplation
and love of Jesus, the Viatorian is moved to action and
thus embraces the motto embossed upon our community seal,
“Let the little children come unto me.” Contemplation
takes place through meeting God in people who are poor
and are considered of little importance, "the little
ones" who are embraced as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
 “Prayer in our congregation is marked by a spirituality
inspired by the intentions of Father Querbes. He
desired that, as individuals and as a community, we
become people of "living and enlightened faith," eager
to listen to God’s Word, fully members of his
People and faithful to its bishops. Finally, it was his
desire that the Eucharist be at the center of our lives
and that devotion to Mary have a special place among us." (CRG page 23 #21)
 We have inherited from our founder a special love for the
Word of God, as it is read, interiorized, shared, and
celebrated. This Word is the real basis of our
spiritual life. It inspires our personal prayer and our
prayer in community. It helps us to share and celebrate our faith with one
another. It sustains us in our service of the People of
God. The Word of God, revealed in the Scriptures and
proclaimed within the Church, is also to be read in the
needs and appeals of those to whom we are sent.
 As we listen to the Word, we are moved to a lively interest
in liturgical life which is a characteristic of
Viatorians. The Eucharist is the sacrifice of the New
Covenant, the celebration of the saving presence of the
Risen Lord, and the sacrament of faith. In it, we find
the source of accomplishment of our personal
relationship with the Lord and of our communion with our
brothers and the entire People of God. We consider it a
duty, therefore, to celebrate the Eucharist daily and to
foster a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
 Viatorians constantly renew these traditions by striving to
maintain a sense of God’s presence through
contemporary means of contemplation and service to the
People of God. In this way, contemplation and action
continue to be joined together for associates and
religious alike according to the charism and
spirituality imbued in our founder so that together we
might be able to pray anew “Adored and Loved be Jesus”. |
