Maternity BVM Youth Partner with Habitat for Humanity
2/1/2012
It takes a lot to intimidate young members of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Bourbonnais. They walk on houses installing roofing shingles, use power tools with the best of them, and apply sheets of vinyl siding like pros. view article

Viatorian Brothers Commit Themselves to the Viatorians for Life
1/30/2012
With two seminarians making perpetual vows, another professing temporary vows and novices heading into first and second years of the novitiate, the foundation of Colombia continues to drive more vocations into the Viatorians. view article

Saint Viator Senior Named to All Area Leadership Team by Daily Herald
1/30/2012
D.J. Horstmann joins an elite group this month, when he takes his place among top high school volunteers, showcased by the Daily Herald newspaper to its suburban readership. view article

From Rome to Madrid: Vicar General in Rome Returns to Lead Province of Spain
1/23/2012
In electing a new provincial in January, Viatorians in Spain brought back one of their own: Fr. Gregorio Esquibel, CSV, was elected for a second time to serve as their Provincial Superior. He returns after spending the last six years in Rome, serving as Vicar General to Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Superior General of the international congregation. view article

Life in the Viatorian Pre-Novitiate: Not Your Father’s Discernment
1/20/2012
In one of his first weeks as a pre-novitiate, Sean Tessmer discovered why a Viatorian vocation goes beyond traditional parish ministry. view article

Viatorians Kneel in Solidarity with Guantanamo Prisoners
1/13/2012
It was a living memorial, of sorts, as Viatorians knelt with other activists in front of the Federal Courthouse in Chicago, reciting names of prisoners still detained at the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba. view article

Viatorian schools and parishes emerging stronger in Ivory Coast
1/3/2012
The classrooms are filled at Collége Saint-Viateur in Bouaké --- located in the central part of Ivory Coast --- and a new school in the capital city of Abidjan, is growing. view article

Wanted: Young Adults for Immersion Weeks in Belize
12/27/2011
This June, the Vocations office of the Clerics of St. Viator kicks off a series of weeklong immersion encounters in Corozal Town, Belize. They are aimed at partnering young adults, ages 19-30, in mission with the Viatorians. view article

Viatorians Shine Light on Immigration Reform
12/22/2011
On a bitter cold December night, advocates for immigration reform --- from many different faith communities --- marched in a candlelight vigil toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Chicago. view article

“Posada” Gives Witness to Immigration Reform
12/21/2011
A traditional re-enactment of Las Posadas --- the Mexican tradition of walking with Joseph and Mary as they sought shelter --- became a Catholic campaign for immigration reform last week in Chicago. view article

Bridges Retreat Leads Students to Reach Across Barriers
12/20/2011
Students at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights and at St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan were the latest to build bridges. They joined together on a two-day retreat aimed at exploring issues of racism, discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping --- and the Christian response. view article

Viatorian Parish Leads the Diocese in Technology Use in its School
12/20/2011
Forget the blackboards and overhead projectors. For that matter, who needs backpacks, papers and books? That’s so old school. view article

Viatorian Staff Member Reaches Out to Latinos
12/16/2011
Most days, Noé Quiroga works behind the scenes at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights, helping to maintain its staff offices and residence wing for retired priests and brothers. Increasingly, however, he is drawing attention throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago for his role as an organ donor --- and as a trainer with ESFOR, its formation program for Hispanic young adults. view article

Viatorians Celebrate More Vocations in Colombia
12/9/2011
Br. Frank Enciso, CSV, serves as vocation director for the Viatorians in Bogotá, Colombia, and now he has acted on his own advice. He has responded to God’s call in his life and was ordained a deacon as part of his formation process in becoming a priest. view article

From Bogota to Las Vegas to Chicago, Viatorians Honor Their Patron
10/27/2011
On Oct. 21, Viatorians all over the world acted in solidarity with one another as they celebrated the feast day of their patron, St. Viator.
view article | photo gallery

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. view article

Hispanic Ministry
10/1/2011
Every month, Viatorian Associate Patty Wischnowski, leads parishioners at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais in reaching out to Latinos in the small town of Momence, located 15 miles away. view article

Teen Delegates Coming for the 2nd Annual Viatorian Youth Congress, Aug. 1 – 4 view article
8/1/2011

The Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) support NRCAT’s statement calling for an end to the practice of prolonged solitary confinement. Read Statement

Viatorians participate in Torture Awareness Month activities.  More

Lest We Forget, a book written by Saint Viator High School students about Korean War veterans, is dedicated.  More

St. Martin de Porres High School students and faculty participate in weekly vigil for persons being deported.  More

Fr. Daniel Hall, CSV, coordinates the donation of musical instruments to Corozal Community College in Corozal Town, Belize.  More

The Viatorian Province Center hosts 2011 retreat for student ministry leaders.  More

The Clerics of St. Viator have joined with Network to Mind the Gap.
Did you know …
The wealthiest 1% of our population owns more than 90% of us combined!
The wealthiest 10% of our population owns more than ¾ of the nation’s wealth!
The median African American household has less than ten cents of wealth for every dollar of wealth owned by the median white family!
www.networklobby.org/campaign/mind-the-gap

On May 29th, Herculana Bastarachea, Ayonie Briceno, Desideria and Rafael Cob, Glenda Francis, Juanita Jimenez, Esteban Pasos, Francisco and Haydee Magana, and Sylvia Vargas renewed their commitments as Viatorian associates for a period of five years at St. Francis Xavier Church in Corozal Town, Belize.  All are involved in carrying out the mission of Fr. Querbes at St. Francis Xavier parish where they serves as educators, pastoral ministers, and/or social service providers.  They are a true blessing to both the Viatorian Community and the Church of Belize.

The Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator signed two sign-on letters in early June.  The first letter, written by the Washington Office on Latin America (www.wola.org), requests that members of Congress oppose ratification of the U.S.- Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  View Letter
The second letter, written by the National Immigration Law Center (www.nilc.org), and addressed to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, advocates for education rather than deportation of undocumented youth.  View Letter

Fr. Daniel Hall, CSV, returns to St. Francis Xavier parish in Corozal Town, Belize after serving at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois for the past nine years as coach, teacher, and chair of the history department.  More

Fr. Corey Brost is named Vice President of Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. More

In early May, the Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator signed a sign-on letter written by the Food Research and Action Center to members of Congress opposing structural changes and budget cuts to the Structural Nutrition Assistance Program.  For more information, please visit www.frac.org.

Catholic Theological Union awarded the Master of Divinity degree to Br. Moses Mesh, CSV, and Br. Jason Nesbit, CSV, at its 43rd annual commencement ceremonies.   Their academic work and pastoral training at CTU has helped to prepare them for ordination to the priesthood.  Br. Mesh will be ordained May 28, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Corozal Town, Belize.  Br. Nesbit will be ordained June 4, 2011 at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois.  Congratulations Moises and Jason.

In early April, the Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator signed a sign-on letter written by Campaign for Youth Justice to Attorney General Eric Holder calling on the Department of Justice to ban the placement of youth (under the age of 18) in adult jails and prisons as a means of protecting incarcerated youth from sexual victimization while in custody.  For more information, please visit www.cfyj.org.

Entrepreneurship:  Values and Responsibilities, co-edited by Br. Leo V. Ryan, was released in soft cover in April 2011.  In addition, Br. Ryan and Richard Hunter from Seton Hall University have written an article, Reflections on Twenty Years of Political and Economic Change in Poland which was published in the April 2011 issue of Global Economy Journal.

Fr. Thomas von Behren asks the Viatorian Community to remember the people of the Ivory Coast in their prayers.  More

Prayer for April

The Viatorian Community mourns the death of Fr. Charles Maranto, CSV.  View Obituary

As a follow up project of last summer’s Viatorian Youth Congress, youth from Viatorian institutions in Illinois and Nevada wrote daily reflections for this year’s Lenten season.  View Reflections

On March 1, 2011 the Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator signed a letter to President Barack Obama written by Jubilee USA calling on him to work for a just global economy.  More

On January 7, 2011 the Provincial Council of the Viatorian Community signed USA Migrant Resolution 2011 which endorses four principles as guidelines for creating a better world for immigrants in the United States.  The resolution was written by the Missionary Society of St. Columban. USA Migrant Resolution 2011

Prayer for February view prayer

Oscar Gutierrez and Leonardo Obregon have been accepted into the novitiate.  More

Fourteen associates are welcomed in the Foundation of Colombia.  More

Breaking the Silence: In Search of Colombia Disappeared is now available.  More

St. Martin de Porres High School and Saint Viator High School Students meet to learn about immigration reform.  More

Saint Viator High School receives and Advanced rating from AdvandEd.  More

Saint Viator High School students honor Lance Cpl. James Stack.  More

The Viatorian Provincial Council calls for a fair global climate fund at COP-16.  More

The Viatorian Community co-sponsors a presentation by Colombian activist Fr. Jesus Alberto Franco.  More

Students from diverse backgrounds gather at the Viatorian Province Center for a Bridges Retreat.  More

Viatorians from the Arlington Heights/Chicago region participated in the annual SOA Watch demonstration at Fort Benning, GA on November 20-21, 2010.  More

The Viatorian Community celebrated the Feast of St. Viator on October 21, 2010 with special Masses, prayer services and meals throughout the province.  Similar celebrations were held in the other fifteen countries where live and minister.  In the Arlington Heights/Chicago region, Viatorian associates, brothers, and priests gathered at Saint Viator High School to celebrated Mass with the students, staff, and faculty of the only Viatorian owned institution in the United States www.saintviator.com.  Later in the day, members of the community gathered for a special prayer service and dinner held at the Viatorian Province Center.

Every Friday morning, members of Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants gather at the Broadview Detention Center in Broadview, Illinois at 7:15 a.m. to pray with and for undocumented people who are being deported that day.  Br. Michael Gosch and Br. Moses Mesh are among those who gather.  They often accompany students from St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan, IL whose family members and/or friends of their families have been deported from the facility.  After the half hour prayer service, updates are provided on progress, or the lack thereof, of immigration reform. 

Erin Cox, the Viatorian representative at 8th Day Center for Justice located in Chicago serves as a volunteer pastoral minister at McHenry County Jail.  She visits with detained undocumented people who are awaiting deportation. More

Br. Carlos Eduardo Diaz and Fr. Thomas Long participated in a Witness for Peace delegation to the Magdalena region of Colombia in early August to learn more about the struggles of those living in the area.  The delegation was organized by Erin Cox, the Viatorian representative at 8th Day Center for Justice.  More

Br. Daniel Lydon, CSV, professes first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Viatorian on September 1, 2010.  More

Members of the Viatorian Community honor those Viatorians who have died.  More

Visit our Archives for a special section on our Departed Viatorian Brothers and Sisters

Saint Viator High School graduate John Leahy left on August 7, 2010 to offer service at St. Francis Xavier parish in Corozal Town, Belize administered by the Viatorian Community.  More

Bill Geis, originally from Hawaii and more recently from Henderson, Nevada, entered the Viatorian pre-novitiate program on August 6, 2010.  More

Youth from seven Viatorian schools and parishes in Illinois and Nevada participated in the first annual Viatorian Youth Congress August 2-5, 2010.  More

At recent meetings, the Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) of the Province of Chicago has recently signed letters addressing a number of justice issues that involve U.S sponsored torture, poverty, and immigration.  More

Eighty Viatorian associates, brothers, and priests gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 6-8, 2010, for the annual Viatorian Assembly.  More

Viatorians from across the province gathered at the Viatorian Province Center June 6-10, 2010 for the annual community retreat.  More

Br. Moises Mesh, CSV, and Br. Jason Nesbit, CSV, are ordained transitional deacons at Maternity BVM Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois.  More

St. Martin de Porres High School held its 4th annual commencement exercises on June 5, 2010.  More

The Viatorian endorsed Illinois Coalition Against Torture offered a panel discussion on U.S. sponsored torture.  More

Youth ministry leaders gather at the Viatorian Province Center for a mini retreat.  More

Saint Viator High School held its 47th commencement exercises on May 17, 2010.  More

Saint Viator High School student, Jonathan Metzinger, debuted his musical composition “Escapades” in honor of Fr. Louis Querbes, Founder of the Clerics of St. Viator.   For more information, click on the following link: www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=378012

Viatorians support immigration reform in a number of ways.  More 

On April 15, 2010, the provincial council of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) signed a national letter urging the U.S. Congress to fund the National Housing Trust Fund as a way to build and preserve housing for people with the lowest incomes.  Such funding will also help create needed jobs.  More

Fr. Daniel Hall is elected provincial councilor.  More

Viatorians in the Arlington Heights/Chicago region gathered for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil services to commemorate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  More

Fr. André Paul Garraud, Superior of the Viatorian Foundation of Haiti, reports on the ongoing efforts of the Viatorian Community to assist survivors of the January 12, 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.   More

Nine Belizean Viatorian associates make their first commitments for a period of two years.  More

Viatorians participate in a 5K Walk/Run to raise funds for area food pantries.  More