Tradition is often associated with doing something the same way, year after year, for quite a long time – but can upheaval be part of tradition? In reflecting on the Viatorian charism and mission, the late Fr. Arnold Perham, CSV suggested this is indeed the case.
In January, Viatorian associates in the Arlington Heights-Chicago region gathered for a morning of Viatorian faith formation. In an effort to strengthen our Viatorian identity and ministry, associates have been organizing and undertaking more ongoing education and reflection.
For this gathering, the focus was slated to be the charism and mission of the community. The regional leadership team – Associates Chris Gucwa, Barb D’Urso, and John Dussman and Fr. Dan Hall, CSV – invited Fr. Arnie to present. As usual, Fr. Arnie did significant research, prepared multimedia, and came before the group with a novel mix of information to help everyone engage and reflect.
Thanks to John’s suggestion, we have a recording of our session, and it’s now available as Episode 90 of Viatorian Voices. In a refresh of our podcast, we offer it not as a straight replaying of the morning but rather as a highlight reel, selected excerpts with supplemental narrations and sound to offer a compelling portrait of the topic.
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In this episode, Fr. Arnie explored what a charism is, how it unfolded for the Venerable Louis Querbes, and how we receive it and respond to its inspiration today. Much as he was reaching back to the 19th century and connecting dots through history, Fr. Arnie was also noting the “upheavals” within that history and how these are indeed part of the tradition, too.
“There were no associates in the Viatorian Community. They were all men wearing cassocks. Almost all of them were white. Well, there was an upheaval,” Fr. Arnie said, noting the advent of association, the establishment of foundations in the developing world, and great change across his decades in religious life. “That’s part of the tradition: it’s the normal way of doing things plus the upheavals, which change the normal way.”
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