Fr. John
Fr. John Eustice, CSV, joined the Archdiocese of Chicago’s YouTube series, Dare to Love, for reflections on Advent and our Church’s Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage of hope.
Fr. John appeared alongside hosts Fr. Adam MacDonald, SVD, and Sr. Lovina Pommit, OSF, and fellow panelist Sr. Mary Beth Bromer, CSSF, Vicar for Religious for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their discussion helps prompt and further our Advent reflections.
Regarding pilgrimage, Fr. John named his experience on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Pilgrimage for Vocations to Chimayó this past summer as well as the experience of the Fourth Viatorian General Assembly this past fall. “Viatorian associates, brothers, and priests came together to share what our lives are like in our particular countries and our particular lifestyles and share how our charism has grown,” Fr. John said. “Even though we speak three different languages and come from different cultures, there’s commonality: our sense of humor, our sense of walking with Christ, and our sense of walking with young people to know Christ’s love.”
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The panelists share some of their experiences of pilgrimage, including in Brazil and in Rome, their joy in the solidarity among religious around Chicago, and the ways they are trying to bring hope into this Advent season and into the communities they serve, especially heading into the new year.
Fr. John reflected on leading Viatorian reflection tours around Saint Viator High School as well as bringing students across the property to the Province Center for a tour and communal praying of the Liturgy of the Hours. “We’re sharing with students that God has an invitation for you – and it doesn’t just stop with freshmen year or with high school. You’re on your way to where God is inviting you to be,” Fr. John said.
He expressed hope in the reflections shared by young people and their responses to the activity. “We provide a prayer card for an anonymous prayer request as well as anonymous discernment survey about lifestyles,” Fr. John said. “23 young people indicated a possible interest in religious life and priesthood. There is hope in the Holy Spirit’s stirring, and God is providing.”
Find this whole December 11, 2025 episode as well as the whole series archive on YouTube @CatholicChicago.