This month, Br. Anthony Davies and Br. Salvador Solis have begun their novitiates with the Viatorian Community.
They each spent the last year in pre-novitiate based at our Province Center, the initial stage of formation. Pre-novitiate provides an introductory experience of Viatorian religious life through residential community life and ministry.
Ever a fan of community humor, Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, invited Br. Tony forward to tell a joke before lunch during the 2026 Provincial Assembly.
The novitiate is “the period of initiation into religious life whereby the candidate discerns, with the help of a qualified guide, whether or not he has a vocation to religious life in our Congregation” (Viatorian Constitution, No. 27). Novices are considered part of the Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator and called by the title “Brother.” (Learn more about stages of Viatorian formation.)
Br. Tony has enjoyed connecting with people around the community and values the profound welcome. “I have received the grace of deep acceptance by the community. The Viatorians have helped me grow in my humanity, know myself better, and appreciate my vocation,” Br. Tony said. “I began to see the Church in a light and vibrancy I haven’t experienced before. In this congregation, there is a great spirit responding to the signs of the times, envisioning things to live the message of the Gospel fully in what we are called to do. The Viatorians’ witness to the Church is needed today.”
Br. Sal, who holds a PhD in philosophy and continues theological studies during formation, led a faith formation series during Lent earlier this year.
The community life at the Province Center stood out to Br. Sal. “Living alongside our retired priests and brothers was, unexpectedly, one of the greatest gifts, especially the presence and testimony of Fr. Arnie Perham, Fr. Don Wehnert, Fr. John Van Wiel, and more,” Br. Sal said. “These men shared their wisdom freely, without filter or sugarcoating. Their sense of humor – sharp, unassuming, truthful, earned over decades – reminded me holiness is never pretentiousness or pious narcissism. They never treated me as a novice-in-waiting or inferior; from the beginning, they welcomed me as a brother. They were happy and grateful for a new vocation, and I am grateful and happy for them.”
Last week, Br. Tony and Br. Sal moved to St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee, IL, where Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV, is directing their novitiates. It will be based there and include experiences around the province. They join Bishop Chris Glancy, CSV, Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, and Fr. John Peeters, CSV, living in the parish rectory.
Br. Tony (center) gained some Viatorian ministry experience through Saint Viator High School campus ministry, including this outdoor spiritual experience at Starved Rock State Park, with SVHS students, VP for Mission Associate Ann Perez (left), and Chaplain Fr. John Eustice, CSV (right).
In novitiate, Br. Tony hopes to continue exploring God’s invitation to priesthood as a Viatorian and his own vocation while considering the needs of the Viatorian Community. “I am looking forward to receiving this formation, deepening my relationship with the Lord, and being surprised by God. I hope to deepen my contemplative approach to life and prayer, like St. Anthony of the Desert,” Br. Tony said. “I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers, as I gratefully receive your support. The Lord is asking much of me as well as the Viatorians – let us faithfully respond and take action!”
Around Christmas time, Br. Marc-Innocent Prophète, CSV (left), Br. Sal (center), and Fr. John (right) traveled to Las Vegas to join Viatorians and St. Viator Catholic Community for Christmas celebrations and enjoy some outdoor excursions in the region.
Br. Sal will carry the example of our retired men with him as he continues. “I hope to deepen my understanding of Christian Love, to learn to receive others the way some of them received me: fully, and without demanding that anyone first prove their worth,” Br. Sal said. “Love that demands something in return is not true Christian Love is only a vulgar form of ‘spiritual’ transaction. As St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, my beloved Edith Stein wrote, ‘Do not accept anything as Love which lacks Truth.’”
Novitiate typically lasts one year, a period of intensive prayer and study. Toward the end of the novitiate, the novices discern a request to profess first vows as Viatorian religious, and the congregation – with the Director of Novices as the representative of leadership – discerns whether or not the novices are a good fit. Novices accepted for first vows would then profess temporary vows for a three-year period to begin religious life.
In our province, in addition to Br. Tony and Br. Sal, the Foundation of Colombia has Br. Julián Camilo Torres in novitiate in Chile and three postulantes (pre-novices) at Casa San Justo (St. Just House) in Bogotá: Joam Amaya Medina (first year), Ángel Felipe Vásquez (first year), and Andrés Rozo Fontecha (second year).
Please pray for our men in religious formation.