Viatorians Welcome Lay Associates as Equal Members of their Community
7/28/2011

Members of the Viatorian Community met from July 5-7 for their annual assembly, at the Province Center in Arlington Heights, IL. That’s where Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, superior general, opened the three days of spiritual renewal with a startling premise: “Our associates and professed members of the Viatorians enter into the community --- on an equal basis.”

His statement set the tone for a new way of thinking during the assembly, as participants debated how the new Viatorian Community would move forward --- in terms of members, leadership and areas of ministry.

“It’s a unique opportunity as a Viatorian Community to stop for a moment and look toward the future,”said Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, provincial. “We’ve come a long way, rather rapidly. This assembly gives us an opportunity to evaluate where we are and where we want to go.”

Underlying the assembly was the theme, “Transformation of religious life: A hopeful look at the Viatorian Community.” Members were challenged to “think outside the box” and to “vision something different.”
Consequently, they discussed community identity and image, ministry direction, community living, membership and governance structure.

“This opens up a lot of options, when associates and ordained can minister together,” Fr. von Behren said. “It can be done in Belize, in Bogotá and in every area where we minister.”