Louis Querbes

Man: A Vocation Rooted in Piety

From his childhood, he immersed himself in the life of his parish, Saint-Nizier, where he joined the choir school and frequented the clerical school. It was before the statue of Our Lady of Grace that he pronounced, while still young, a vow of chastity; he would preciously keep the writing that testifies to this commitment until his last breath.

After his studies at the seminary of Saint-Irénée, he was ordained a priest in 1816. Appointed vicar at Saint-Nizier, he quickly won the affection and esteem of his parishioners, distinguishing himself especially by the excellence of his preaching. Upon becoming administrator of the parish's clerical school, he consolidated what would be the heart of his action: the close union between education and liturgy.

The pastor: The builder of Vourles

In 1822, Louis Querbes received charge of the parish of Vourles. The challenge was immense: after the ravages of the Revolution, everything had to be rebuilt, both materially and spiritually. With determination, he restored the church and revived the faith of the faithful. Deeply troubled by the ignorance and lack of instruction of children, he went in search of a lasting solution for education.

The founder: A visionary ahead of his time

To meet the needs of rural schools, he founded an association of catechists, placing it under the patronage of Saint Viator, the 4th-century reader who was the devoted assistant of Bishop Just of Lyon.

• 1831 : He obtained diocesan authorization for his Society, originally conceived as a group of parish clerics and lay catechists.
• 1838 : Desirous of obtaining recognition from Rome, he nevertheless had to resolve, on the advice of his peers, to exclude the inclusion of laypeople, as the canonical framework of the time did not allow for such a mix. His intuition of a community that would unite laypeople and religious was then very far ahead of his time.
• September 21, 1838: Pope Gregory XVI grants pontifical approval to the religious institute of the Parochial Clerics or Catechists of Saint Viator.

A living legacy

Under his impetus, the Viatorians multiplied schools and parish commitments, extending first in France, then crossing the Atlantic toward Canada and the United States. The Venerable Louis Querbes passed away in Vourles on September 1, 1859, leaving behind a vigorous charism.

His motto, “Adored and loved be Jesus,” remains as the summary of the evangelical spirit he transmitted to his successors.

On October 2, 2019, Pope Francis officially recognized the heroism of his virtues by declaring him “Venerable.” Today, his spiritual sons and daughters work and pray with fervor for his beatification, hoping to see his name inscribed in the catalogue of saints.