 50 Years Later, Viatorian Hailed as a Fundador in Bogotá, Colombia
10/15/2011
Fr. James Crilly, CSV, (pictured fourth from left) thought he would spend his career as a high school teacher and parish priest. But he answered a call 50 years ago that changed his life --- and the lives of thousands of students in Bogotá, Colombia.
“God acts in mysterious ways,” Fr. Crilly says, in reflecting back on the groundbreaking assignment.
He returned to Colombia in late September, where he was treated like a celebrity. As one of the three original Viatorian missionaries who traveled to Bogotá 50 years ago last month, he was hailed as one of the “fundadors” during a milestone celebration.
Nearly 1,500 people gathered in the colegio’s gymnasium for the anniversary Mass, before graduates from the early classes met with Fr. Crilly privately to thank him for his role in leading the school that changed their lives.
A member from the first class, Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, now leads the school as its principal, holding onto its original mission of “forming Christian gentlemen.”
The Viatorians continue to have a strong presence in Colombia. Not only does Colegio San Viator educate 1,000 students, but the parishes they administer, San Basilio Magno Parish and San Juan Maria Vianney Parish, serve more than 50,000 surrounding residents. |
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