From August 19 to August 25, young religious from around the worldwide Viatorian Community gathered in Burkina Faso for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. The theme for this Congress of Young Religious Viatorians was “On the Road to the Bicentennial of the Congregation,” continuing discernment on reconfiguration and the community’s future.
Br. Juan David, Br. Edwin, Br. Carlos, and Br. Enrique
American Viatorians could not attend due to US immigration policies, but four brothers from Colombia attended and represented our province: Br. Edwin Barreto, CSV, Br. P. Enrique Medina, CSV, Br. Juan Davíd Ramirez, CSV, and Br. Carlos Suárez, CSV. Along with the General Council, religious from Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, and Spain also participated; France did not send any religious. The congress was held at Bagraogo Hospitality Center, an hour and a half from capital city Ouagadougou.
Members from different countries took turns as celebrants, homilists, and prayer leaders. Each member of the General Council gave a talk on a particular topic, including Superior General Fr. Nestor Fils-Aimé, CSV, speaking on leadership and formation.
Br. José Javier García García, CSV, of Spain reflected on Fr. Nestor’s articulation of Viatorian leadership. “The central message was that a true leader is not the one who issues the most commands, but the one who best serves, accompanies, forms, and fosters growth. Authentic leadership builds fraternity, strengthens communion, and promotes shared responsibility,” Br. JJ said. “We are guided by joyful conviction: we believe in the charism of our community, and we are certain that we have something to say to today’s world.”
group photo, with the congress logo looking ahead to 2031 and the bicentennial
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The congress heard updates and information on the reconfiguration discernment being led by the General Council, their appointed steering committee, and consultant Mathieu Daum. Fr. William Serge Bationo, CSV, a native of Burkina Faso who has ministered and studied for many years in Canada and Spain, found himself looking inward to consider how he can constructively contribute to our Viatorian future.
Viatorians took turn leading prayer and liturgy: (above) for Chile, Fr. Rodrigo Andrade, CSV, celebrated Mass, with concelebrant General Councilor Fr. Gerardo Soto, CSV, and assisted by transitional deacon Br. Tomás Villalobos, CSV; (below) for Ivory Coast, Provincial Superior of France Fr. Sylvain Konan, CSV, celebrated Mass, assisted by transitional deacon General Secretary Deacon Br. Darius Amani, CSV.
“I came to understand our future depends not only on decisions made at the institutional level, but also on each of us being willing to step out of our habits, securities, and even our personal plans. Reconfiguration calls us to a genuine personal and communal conversion,” Fr. Serge said. “This also begins with me. I need to learn to be more available, to listen before speaking, to welcome differences, and to seek the common good rather than my own personal interests. I also desire to contribute more, to take initiatives, and not to be afraid to propose new ways of living our charism, particularly in education, evangelization, and new technologies.”
Our Colombian brothers shared a group reflection that said in part, “The Congress focused on leadership and formation as pillars for serving authentically in a changing world. Evangelization in the digital age invites us to proclaim the Gospel with creativity and closeness through new technologies. Having been surrounded by African warmth and a spirit of community, we return home with renewed hearts and the certainty that the charism of Fr. Querbes is alive. This congress has been an invitation to continue discerning, reflecting, praying, and analyzing our mission and charism in the work we are carrying out.”
Viatorians from around the worldwide community will gather again in late November for an extraordinary general chapter. The General Council, Viatorian superiors, and elected delegates will discuss potential reconfiguration. The religious of the US have elected Fr. John Eustice, CSV, and Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, as the two delegates, participating with Provincial Superior Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, and former Superior General Fr. Mick Egan, CSV.
Thank you to Br. Juan David and Br. JJ for their photos and to Br. JJ for interpretation from Spanish to English.
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