REGION OF HAITI: HISTORY AND VIATORIAN PRESENCE

A Missionary Legacy (since 1965)

The Viatorian adventure in Haiti began in the summer of 1965. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits by the government of François Duvalier, the Holy See requested the Clerics of Saint Viator to take over. The first Canadian missionaries settled in Port-au-Prince to lead the Notre-Dame Grand Seminary, the nerve center for the training of the Haitian clergy.

The community’s commitment quickly expanded beyond priestly formation:

  • 1966: Integration of the Sainte-Marie Community with Fr. Jacques Beaudry.
  • 1967: Establishment at Villa Manrèse, inherited from the Jesuits. This religious center was at the heart of the Viatorian mission in Haiti until its tragic destruction during the 2010 earthquake.
  • 1968: The mission took a decisive turn in the “City of Independence.” Two Viatorians took over the direction of Collège Immaculée-Conception (CIC), founded two years earlier by Father Louis Cinéus. Over the decades, this college has become a benchmark institution and a true educational pillar for the country.

CURRENT ENGAGEMENT

The Artibonite Department

Today, the Viatorians animate and lead five schools of excellence:

In Gonaïves:

  1. Collège Immaculée-Conception (CIC): The flagship institution of the region.
  2. Cyr-Guillo National Congregational School: Under Viatorian direction since 2001.
  3. Saint-Viateur Mixed Institution: Founded in the early 1970s in collaboration with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
  4. Saint-Viateur Kindergarten: A space dedicated to early childhood, opened in 2011.

In Saint-Marc:

  1. James M. Stine School: Founded in 2011 by the Rodrigue-Mortel Foundation.

Reach in the Ouest Department

1. Port-au-Prince and Surroundings

  • Accueil Saint-Viateur: Located in Cazeau, dedicated to supporting postulants.
  • Regional House: Due to increasing insecurity, the student community has been settled since November 2025 in the new Regional House adjacent to Villa Saint-Viateur.
  • Villa Saint-Viateur: Rebuilt between 2020 and 2023, it now serves as the main House for the congregation in Haiti.

2. Croix-des-Bouquets Region

  • Pastoral Action: Animation and management of Christ-Roi Parish.
  • Education: Saint-Viateur Mixed Institution of Croix-des-Bouquets, opened in September 2014.

3. Grand-Goâve

  • Parish Ministry: Since 1986, Viatorians have been in charge of Saint-François d’Assise Parish. A new parish (Saint-Martin de Tours) was recently established.
  • Educational Mission: Supervision of the Saint-François d’Assise Institution and the Saint-Viateur Kindergarten.

Religious life and mission

The Viatorian community in Haiti currently consists of 38 religious, including 21 perpetually professed and 17 with temporary vows. The Viatorian family is expanding with 6 associate members.

The history of the region is marked by the commitment of the first Haitian Viatorians, Father Nestor Fils-Aimé (current Superior General) and Father Kénel Verna (Master of novices), who joined the community in 1988.

Faithful to the legacy of Father Querbes, the religious and associates embody their mission daily through the educational environment, youth ministry via movements such as the Service de Préparation à la Vie (SPV), the Nouvelle Animation Chrétienne (NAC), and the ALEGRIA Choir.

The year 2025 marked a historic milestone: the Viatorians gave thanks for sixty years of faithfulness and mission on Haitian soil.