Our Global Solidarity series on Viatorian Voices connected us with Viatorians around the world, and one voice memo came in after we had already published the final episode. So, to lead off the summer international roundup, here is Associate Kimura Tomoaki from our International Community of Japan.
Tomoaki became an associate in 2006, and he helps oversee religious programs at St. Viator Rakusei in Kyoto. He shares a bit about how they welcome those who are curious about Christianity, Catholicism, and the Viatorians.
“Many do not really know what we Christians believe, so we usually begin by inviting newcomers to small informal gatherings, for prayer and Bible reading. We try to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere since many in Japan are quite sensitive when it comes to religion,” Tomoaki said. “Over time, we encourage them to attend Church. If they feel hesitant about going on their own, we accompany them to make the experience easier – show them how to follow along with hymns and readings and explain what happens during Mass.”
Here is the full four-minute reflection from Tomoaki:
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Now, here is a digest of some of the good news from our worldwide community over the last few months, starting with the General Council and proceeding in alphabetical order. (Note: most stories were produced via interpretation from French or Spanish.)
General Council: Convening the Congress of Young Viatorian Religious
The General Council is preparing for a special Viatorian convocation this August in Bragraogo, Burkina Faso. Young priests and brothers will participate from Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, and Spain, along with provincial and regional superiors and appointed support staff and interpreters. Unfortunately, current US immigration and travel policies prevent Americans from visiting Burkina Faso.
This is the Second International Congress of Young Religious for our congregation, and General Secretary Br. Darius Amani, CSV, is coordinating the preparation for the General Council.
Burkina Faso: Religious Dialogue at ITAO
The overlap between Ramadan and Lent in 2026 became an occasion for interfaith prayer and fellowship. Burkinabe Viatorians in Ouagadougou joined with Christian and Muslim neighbors for a shared iftar, or fast-breaking meal, on a Friday evening in March. Fr. Lindbergh Mondésir, CSV, superior of the local community, addressed the group and reflected on the holy seasons. Additionally, Fr. Kingsley Ogugo, CSV, participated in a similar event in another part of Ouagadougou.
one of the fast-breaking gatherings in Ouagadougou
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Br. Fulbert Bamazé, CSV, reflected on this experience alongside Fr. Lindbergh in the community newsletter: “There are great bonds of brotherhood between people of different faiths. The search for God is inscribed in the heart of every person. Fr. Lindbergh expressed hope that this time of repentance would foster mutual acceptance despite our religious, ethnic, and cultural differences. Mr. Kabre, the local imam, appreciated the connection with the Catholic Christian faithful in the neighborhood. He offered his prayer that Allah would hear and answer our prayers.”
the school campus
Canada and Peru: Improving Educational Facilities
Viatorians are involved with Fe y Alegría (Faith and Joy) education in Peru. With assistance from the Province of Canada, the Fe y Alegría school in Cutervo has been renovated to improve the conditions for primary and secondary students.
The infrastructure improvements bring together the various classrooms, offices, and supplementary spaces. The improved school will help reduce the disparities between various areas in this northern area of Peru.
our Chilean musicians, with Fr. Marcelo Lamas, CSV, Provincial (top, second from right)
Chile: A New Music Label
Viatores Music is a new ministry initiative by the Province of Chile that strives to produce and share streamable music that is inspired by the Christian faith and our Viatorian identity. Members of Viatorian school and parish communities worked together to integrates faith, education, and culture through these special music compositions. In the Viatorian spirit, it is another effort to evangelize creatively, dialoging with the modern culture and trying to use music to open new spaces to proclaim the Gospel.
The initial album came out this spring. Find it on Spotify and YouTube Music and follow the ministry on Instagram.
Haiti: Reopening Christ the King Parish
In September 2023, an armed gang overtook the area around Christ the King Parish, and community members had to flee to safer areas. In early 2025, Fr. Jean-Yves Médidor, CSV – who was himself held hostage earlier in 2023 – was able to check on the parish and discovered extensive destruction to the church.
He gradually worked with Viatorians and community members – Catholic, Protestant, and non-religious people – to clean up the site. They rebuilt the worship space, which had lost its electrical system and sound equipment. On Pentecost 2025, after reconsecrating the space, they celebrated Mass amid ongoing instability. Over time, the community has regathered more and more. Pastoral and youth ministries have resumed, and now vegetable gardening has begun on the parish land. “I give thanks to God for the generosity and commitment of this community, which continues to rise again in hope,” Fr. Jean-Yves said.
the joyful scenes at Christ the King
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Honduras: Mobilized in Mission
the mission gatherings at Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Tránsito
In Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Tránsito (Our Lady of the Assumption Parish) in Jutiapa, Viatorians initiated a mission in April. It is part of a holy year of mission with the theme of becoming a synodal, missionary Church. After a few months of formation and workshops to form lay evangelizers, over 200 people from over 60 local communities came together in the parish on April 11 to launch the mission, followed by a diocesan kickoff with 13 other parishes on April 18.
Starting on April 25, the parish missionaries began local visits with community members, as these lay people took ownership of teaching the faith to sisters and brothers. Between all the visits, the mission work began with about 500 people gathered in local groups for prayer and discussion. This outreach and evangelization will continue throughout the mission year.
Ivory Coast: Bouaké Student and Faculty Pilgrimages
At Groupe Scolaire Saint Viateur Bouaké (Saint Viator Schools in Bouaké), members of the school community went on pilgrimages.
students at the potters’ village
In March, the staff headed northwest out of Bouaké to Diabo. They shared in prayer, meditation, and fellowship to recharge spiritually and renew their commitment to education ministry.
In April, students bussed north to Katiola, the center of their diocese, for their pilgrimage. They began with Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Joan of Arc. Afterwards, they visited with artisans in the ceramics center and potters’ village to immerse in local culture. Then, they concluded their day with a visit to the seminary. (Thanks to Viatorian student Emmanuella Kouadio for reporting in the school’s journal.)
Viatorians from France established our ministry here in 1955!
Spain: New Song from Br. José Javier Ruiz de Eguilaz, CSV
Br. José Javier released a new song called “Cuántos son los que sufren” (“How Many Are Those Who Suffer?” He writes his own Spanish-language lyrics and music, and he has published the song on YouTube. The refrain, in English, says, “hope springs forth, light arrives; hope springs forth, light shines.”
The song is meant to raise funds for the ongoing work of SERSO, the Province of Spain’s non-governmental organization whose name is short for service and solidarity. SERSO directs funds and resources to other places in the global Viatorian Community, including Honduras, where Spanish Viatorians live and serve.
the Bikienga family
Spotlight on Associates: Associates Georgette and Prosper Bikienga, Burkina Faso
Georgette and Prosper have been associates since 2022, and they have three children. Prosper works with friends and partners in Belgium to improve clean water access near Ouagadougou by employing experts to identify ideal spots and professionally drill down. His team has drilled 25 boreholes so far, and village residents come to offer the workers their blessings and then celebrate as clean water emerges from the work.
In addition to providing clean water to drink, the access to water facilitates new tree planting and new vegetable gardening while fighting desertification. Ten more rural principals have requested new projects to create access for their young students. Congratulations, Georgette and Prosper!