As we seek deeper internationality with all parts of our global Viatorian Community, we are continuing our series of podcast episodes with Viatorians from other countries. In this episode, we talk with a trio of Viatorians in Spain: Associate Ilse Kugel, Associate Javier Elena Carrero, and Br. José Javier (JJ) García García, CSV.
All three of these Viatorians work as teachers, including teaching English, at Colegio Fátima, a Viatorian school in Madrid founded by our community in 1950 (website | Instagram).
Like in other countries, Viatorians in Spain work in many schools and parishes, both urban and rural. Then, Ilse and Javier are part of a unique Viatorian ministry. “We have three Scouts groups in Spain – one here at Colegio Fátima, one at San Viator in Madrid, and one in Vitoria,” Ilse said. “They are all affiliated with the schools, and all the groups are accompanied by Viatorians.”
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Br. JJ, Ilse, and Javier joined us via Zoom from Colegio Fátima
In the Viatorian spirit of walking with young people, they find hope – even as members age and retire – in young adults who were part of Scouts as kids and now lead with them as young adults, or alumni from their school who are now training alongside them to become teachers. “It would be good to work even more with [young adults]. We work now with children and teenagers, and I think this [growth] is our challenge for the future,” Br. JJ said.
One key ministry of the Province of Spain is SERSO. Short for servicio (service) and solidaridad (solidarity), the organization brings together Viatorians and our communities to fundraise and collect items for people and projects in the developing world, especially areas of countries where Viatorians serve. While the financial support and practical contributions make a difference abroad, the literacy in charity and justice is huge for forming young people and communities. “Little students can participate, and even they know these donations go to SERSO and help. It is creating the feeling of being an international community,” Javier said.
Ilse, Javier, and Br. JJ discuss their first encounters with the community, the Viatorians and the Catholic Church in Spain, and our ministries in the countries – and conclude with a word of encourage for invitation and accompaniment. Listen to all of Episode 104 on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.