Vourles, February 1, 2025
TO ALL VIATORIANS
CONVOCATION OF THE FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE VIATORIAN COMMUNITY
Dear Viatorians,
Eight years have passed since the last General Assembly of the Viatorian Community held in Guadarrama (Madrid, Spain). The paths we have taken have been long and difficult. But with unwavering determination, the Viatorians have never slowed down their steps. The hazards of human existence (aging, illness, fragility, etc.) as well as problematic situations of recent years (COVID, migrations, deaths, etc.) have not affected the dynamism and commitment of the Viatorians. The Viatorian community is made of a solid fabric that withstands the most extreme temperatures.
At the time of the Third Assembly of the Viatorian Community at the end of 2016, the statistics showed 456 religious and 308 associates for a total of 764 Viatorians. Nearly a decade later, while the number of religious has dramatically declined by a hundred, the association has been enriched by more than thirty new members. Viatorian statistics as of December 31, 2024, count approximately 357 religious and 340 associates to reach a total of 697 Viatorians throughout the world. Two national entities have experienced a blossoming of the association. These are Burkina Faso and Peru. In other places, new local communities have emerged and new members have been added, giving luster to our Viatorian family. We give thanks to the Lord for all his wonders in our Community.
« For I know the plans I have for you, plans for prosperity and not disaster, to give you hope and a future » (Jeremiah 29:11)
These words of the prophet Jeremiah touch at the heart of what we have been living together since Venerable Louis Querbes had the idea of forming an Association of Catechists to serve Christian education in his parish of Vourles.
Yes, the Lord has plans that will give a future and hope to our Viatorian Community!
In this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis invites us to be “pilgrims of hope” and to “awaken the synodal conscience” by living a profound conversion. We hear this call that resonates in our hearts and drive us to act.
In this perspective, I call the IV General Assembly of the Viatorian Community, from October 18 to 25, 2025, at the Valpré Center (Lyon, France). The central theme will be:
“HOW TO BE A FRATERNAL, SYNODAL AND MISSIONARY VIATORIAN COMMUNITY TODAY?”
In this changing world in which we live, we give ourselves the opportunity to meet to share our experiences and discover together the factors that slow down or accelerate our spiritual, community and missionary life as Viatores. In this way we will be able to explore new paths that will give us new impulses to “proclaim Jesus Christ and his Gospel and to raise up communities where faith is lived, deepened and celebrated” C.8
Receive, dear Viatorians, my fraternal greetings.
In Saint Viator and Venerable Louis Querbes
Nestor FILS AIMÉ, CSV
Superior General