HISTORY OF THE VIATORIANS IN CHILE

The presence of the Clerics of Saint Viator in Chile began on November 16, 1957, with the arrival in Viña del Mar of two Viatorian brothers from Spain: Saturnino San Martín and César Elorrieta. In March 1958, they took over the San Antonio Parochial School, founded by Father Félix Ruiz de Escudero.

On February 2, 1962, the Congregation established a new community at La Laguna in Curacaví. On March 4, 1963, the San Viator School in Ovalle opened. In March 1964, the Congregation took charge of the Las Nieves educational complex in Puente Alto, remaining for 27 years.

On February 24, 1980, the Viatorians took over the El Divino Salvador parish in Ovalle. On August 15, 1987, the Delegation achieved the status of Region. In 1988, the first Chilean associates took their vows. In 1989, the San Viator School was inaugurated in Macul and in 1994, classes began at the El Señor de Renca Polytechnic High School.

In June 2001, the mission expanded to Alto Beni, Bolivia. February 9, 2003, marked the creation of the Province of Chile. In 2007, the San Antonio School in Villa Alemana was born and the Viatorians took over a parish in Cochabamba, Bolivia (until 2019).

The provincial chapter of April 28, 2012, approved the creation of the Querbes Vocational Guidance Center in Viña del Mar. In 2019, the province took over the San Juan Evangelista parish in Viña del Mar and “La Inmaculada” parish was created in Ovalle.

The province maintains three retreat houses: Olmué, Sotaquí, and Puente Alto.

Currently, under the leadership of Fr. Marcelo Lamas Morales, Provincial Superior since 2015, in his third term (2023-2026), the province continues its mission with renewed commitment. This history remains alive, written day by day by every member of the Viatorian community.