Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, was among the first group of students to attend Colegio San Viator (St. Viator School), a private school started in 1963 by Viatorian missionaries in Bogotá, Colombia, and he would go on to be the first vocation to come from the school.
Fr. Pedro (third from right in front row) with his seventh grade classmates and teacher Fr. Tom Wise (far left).
Fr. Pedro professed first vows as a Viatorian religious in 1973 at the age of 22. He had just completed his degree program in modern languages at Universidad Javeriana. He ultimately earned degrees in philosophy and theology and a master’s degree in counseling before being ordained into the priesthood in 1980.
While pursuing advanced degrees, Fr. Pedro returned to his beloved colegio to teach. He taught religion and served as the director of the elementary school before serving as its president.
Fr. Pedro also grew stepped in leadership roles within the foundation of Colombia, serving as treasurer, director of novices, and as superior.
Fr. Pedro (left) gaves tours of the colegio in Bogotá in 2011.
In 2017, the Viatorians took stewardship of a school in Tunja that the community reestablished as a second Colegio San Viator. So, Fr. Pedro accepted a new assignment: serving as the founding rector (president) of the Viatorians’ second school in Colombia. “I think the Viatorians have demonstrated a high standard of quality in education,” Fr. Pedro says, “The community has an immense concern for Christian formation, spanning many years of presence in Colombia.”
Later, Fr. Pedro transitioned to serving as vice rector as his brother, Fr. Fredy Contreras, CSV, took the helm as rector. Fr. Pedro remains a strong advocate for the school, joyfully celebrating Sacraments with the community. To mark ten years of Viatorian ministry there, the school dedicated the Fr. Pedro Herrera Library in honor of its founding rector, giving small tribute to the service of our first native Colombian Viatorian.
More on Fr. Pedro from Viatorians.com:
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The library at the school has been dedicated in the name of Fr. Pedro.
Global Viatorian Joy for Colombian Milestones (2026): As part of the ten-year celebrations at our school in Tunja, the library was dedicated in Fr. Pedro’s name.
- Greetings from All Around the Viatorian Community (2025 – Viatorian Voices podcast appearance): In a special podcast episode from the Fourth Viatorian General Assembly, Fr. Pedro was one of several English-speaking Viatorians from around our global community to share a reflection with fellow members.
- The Fourth Viatorian General Assembly Is Underway (2025): Fr. Pedro took part in the international gathering as an English-Spanish interpreter.
- Colegio San Viator Earns Bilingual Certification (2022): Six years into our stewardship, Fr. Pedro celebrated this significant certification for our school.
- Viatorians Support Protection of Mothers and Children (2022): With Bishop Chris Glancy, CSV, on his visit to Colombia, Fr. Pedro visited Amparo del Niño (Protection for the Child), a charitable outreach organization for mothers and children that our community often supports.
- Colegio San Viator Celebrates 5th Anniversary (2021) and 3rd Anniversary (2019) : Fr. Pedro took part in celebrating Viatorian leadership in Tunja.
- Viatorian School Earns IB Certification (2019): Early on, Fr. Pedro led successful efforts to become an international baccalaureate school.
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Left to right, Fr. Fredy Contreras, CSV, Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV, Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, Fr. Mick Egan, CSV, and then-Br. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, celebrate dedications at the school in Tunja.
Viatorian Superiors from Latin America and Caribbean Gather (2019): While serving as legal representative for Colombia, Fr. Pedro joined with other superiors for a Viatorian summit.
- Colegio San Viator Continues to Grow (2018): Fr. Pedro shared the early construction project progress with brothers in congregational leadership.
- Archbishop of Tunja Visits School (2017): The school in Tunja built a relationship with the Archdiocese of Tunja, including an early visit from the archbishop.
- Viatorians Inspired by Presence of Pope Francis in Colombia (2017): Some of the Colombian Viatorians were able to take part in Pope Francis’ visit to the country.
- Colegio San Viator Officially Dedicated (2017): Viatorians officially took leadership of the school and rededicated it as Colegio San Viator in 2017.
- Viatorians Take on New School in Colombia (2016): In late 2016, the agreement was finalized to transfer ownership of the existing school in Tunja to the Viatorians, with Fr. Pedro lined up as founding rector.