Some 60 years after Viatorians first arrived in Bogotá, Colombia, their charism is alive and well. That commitment to accompanying young people — and building up communities of faith — was evident at Thursday’s all-school Mass.
It took place in the gymnasium of Colegio San Viator, which was started by Viatorians in Colombia, back in 1962.
“It was a celebration of our founder, Fr. Querbes, but also timed with the 60th anniversary of the founding of our Colegio San Viator Bilingual School,” says Br. Enrique Medina, CSV, head of religious and pastoral education at the school.
Br. Medina is one of several Viatorians on staff, including Fr. Alejandro Adame, rector, Fr. Edwin Ruiz, chaplain, and Br. Edwin Barreto, who teaches Spanish.
Masses honoring Fr. Querbes were held at Viatorian parishes and schools around the world, but this was the only one to celebrate a 60th anniversary at the same time. 
The colegio opened in prefabricated classrooms. Its 32 students were taught by five Viatorian priests and one lay teacher. Some 60 years later, the school is thriving, with an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.
Colegio San Viator is a billingual, co-educational institution and stands out as one of the best schools in Bogotá, especially after it was authorized as an International Baccalaureate school in April, 2016. This worldwide recognition affirms the educational mission of the Colegio, and of the Viatorians who founded it and continued to run the school.