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John is from downstate Illinois and is a retired English teacher who taught in the St. Louis area. Late in his career, much of his family settled in Bourbonnais, IL, and John began visiting more and more often and then set himself up to retire there. Over the last several decades, John became a very active parishioner at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Viatorian parish in town, and Viatorians invited him to be part of the explorations to establish lay association in the US. Then in 1999, John committed as one of the first five American associates. Here, our 92-year-old Viatorian shares his backstory, his first encounters with Viatorians, and what Viatorian association and religious life is – and isn’t – to him and potentially to others discerning to join us. 00:00 Introduction 01:44 John’s Catholic Life and Vocation as Teacher 04:12 Active Life of Faith in Bourbonnais 06:11 Helping Establish Association 08:21 Solidifying the Identity and Purpose of Associates 11:45 Insights for Discerning into Viatorian Life 13:22 Conclusion 15:03 BONUS: John’s Travels and Nativity Collection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome into the Viatorian communications department! Every couple months, Associate Dan Masterton, director of communications, meets over Zoom with peers who do similar ministries for other Catholic organizations. They pray together and help each other review and improve our work. This time, they each shared a bit with Dan about why they prioritize bringing their group’s ministry online, what they seek to highlight, and how it can impact our Church and the People of God. Ernie Garrido is vocations recruiter for the Paulist Fathers (BeAPaulist.org).Rory Dayton is founder of VocationCRM (VocationCRM.com).Zachary Dmyterko is vocation director for the Alexian Brothers (AlexianBrothers.org).Jesús Leyva is director of communications for the National Religious Vocations Conference (NRVC.net) and editor for the Global Sisters Report (GlobalSistersReport.org). (This episode debuted on September 21, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Ernie: In-Person Positive Experience Continues Online 04:08 Rory: Witness and Connection through Interest-Based Use 06:49 Zach: Utilizing Rich History and Modern Authenticity 09:41 Jesús: Sowing Seeds, Even to Unexpected Users 11:43 Dan: Bringing Viatorian Groundedness Online 12:34 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, spend his whole summer living in Colombia? He discerned a desire to strengthen his Spanish-language skills, but he didn't just want to take classes in Chicago. Br. Peter wanted to learn the language with his brothers, in a community home, studying in their country and culture. Hear about Br. Peter's 10 weeks with our Viatorian Community in Colombia, living at our formation house Casa San Justo (Saint Just House), commuting into Bogotá city center for language studies, and practicing his growing skills with his brothers. (This episode debuted on August 31, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Why 10 Weeks in Colombia? 03:31 Immersive Language Studies 06:54 Living with Viatorian Brothers 09:43 Highlights of Living in Colombia 13:10 Impressive Viatorian Formation  14:42 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk with Sr. Amy Mejia, SSCM. She professed first vows as a religious sister and Servant of the Holy Heart of Mary in April 2026. For the last year and half and counting, she has been ministering in two of our Viatorian parishes: Sacred Heart Church in Pembroke Township, IL, and St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee, IL. Here, she reflects on her vocation to the SSCM community and to religious sisterhood, only after a lot of life experience, and shared about working with Viatorians in our parishes. And of course, we gather her insights into discernment as a newly professed religious. (This episode debuted on August 17, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:56 Roots of Vocation 05:31 A Religious Sister, Mother, and Grandmother 07:34 Ministering in Viatorian Parishes 09:58 Appreciation for Viatorian Religious 11:09 Insights for Discernment 13:56 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we talk with the Young Adult Leaders for the 2026 Viatorian Youth Congress. These are college-aged young adults who have identified God’s invitation to servant-leadership and applied for this role. They undertake two days of leadership training as leaders and then lead the four-day VYC program for dozens of teen delegates from Viatorian communities around the province. So, with so many opportunities before them, from travel and time with friends to money-making jobs or career-advancing internships, why do these young people give up a week of their summers in service of these teens, the Viatorian Community, and the Church? That’s what we asked our YALs to share in this episode. (This episode debuted on July 27, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 02:14 Felipe Moreno 02:59 Trevor Lyon 03:47 Abby Hartz 04:29 Tommy Wilson 05:23 Cecilia Wiedel 06:15 Nevaeh Szparkowski 06:54 Madeline Denk 07:29 Aidan McLeod 08:17 Antonio Mastro 08:51 Austin Orock 09:41 Amanda Mallous 10:49 Jennifer Orozco 12:04 Thomas Ribble 13:13 Conclusion (Note: YAL Taylor Bair was not able to take part in interviews.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore God’s invitations to Br. Juan David Ramirez, CSV. He grew up in the Bogotá area of Colombia. After some chance encounters with Viatorians during his teacher training, he discerned with us, entered formation, and joined our community. Br. Juan David professed first vows in 2019 and perpetual vows in 2022. He has taught math for several years at Colegio San Viator, or Saint Viator School, in Tunja, Colombia, and he is now beginning theology and philosophy studies in Bogotá with a view toward ordination. Here, we trace the through-line of his vocation from childhood into life as a perpetually professed Viatorian religious. (This episode debuted on July 13, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:35 First, a Vocation in Teaching 03:08 More than a Teaching Internship 06:24 A Big Leap in Obedience 09:54 Seeking Further Formation 10:52 In Discernment, “Accept the Challenge” 12:17 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we head out on the way with Fr. John Eustice, CSV. For three weeks earlier this summer, Fr. John was a chaplain at Philmont Scouting Ranch in New Mexico. He assisted with camp setup for the summer trek groups and served in rotations around the property. Fr. John celebrated Masses and heard confessions, provided pastoral support to people in need of assistance, and spent time with trekkers, staff, and fellow chaplains. Fr. John is an Eagle Scout and has remained involved with Scouting through Catholic initiatives, Eagle boards of review, and more. Here, Fr. John takes us with him in this special summer ministry. (This episode debuted on June 29, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Roadtripping to the Ranch 02:59 Setting Up Camp 04:15 Living the Apostolic Life 07:03 Serving in Solidarity 10:30 Going Where Needed 13:33 Scouting Evolves in Welcome 15:45 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we take a closer look at Service and Song, an annual Saint Viator High School summer program for middle school students led by Viatorians and our high school students. Associate Ann Perez serves as the school’s Vice President of Mission and Identity, and, with Service and Song coming up next week, she shares how Service and Song is a vital way by which the school community can share and live out its mission. This happens particularly by forming its student to be servant-leaders, introducing future students to Christian service, and animating adults and young people together in proclaiming the Gospel and raising communities of faith. (This episode debuted on June 15, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:28 Action-Packed Viatorian Formation 03:57 SVHS Mission and Vision 05:29 Collaboration and Partnership 09:15 Mission Integration through Action 12:10 Accompaniment & Discernment 13:44 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer and fall, 17 new associates will make their initial commitments as Viatorians. This follows a two-year period of discernment and formation, undertaken as regional cohorts with formation teams of Viatorian religious and associates. Two of our soon-to-be new members reflect on that process: Pre-Associate Dianne Marshall is a parish faith formation director and veteran pastoral minister who met the Viatorians while ministering at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL. Pre-Associate Jason Valle is a media teacher at Bishop Gorman High School and works alongside Viatorians there and in volunteer youth ministry at his parish, St. Viator Catholic Community in Las Vegas. Hear about the pre-association process as we look ahead to welcoming new members! (This episode debuted on June 1, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Dianne: Learning the Charism 02:54 Dianne: Prayerfully Discerning In 04:00 Dianne: Viatorian Ministry in Archdiocesan Parish 05:38 Jason: Affirming What He’s Already Doing 07:18 Jason: Call to Accompanying Youth and Sharing the Faith  09:16 Jason: Desire to Go Where He’s Needed 10:28 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St. George and Maternity BVM, two Viatorian parishes, are two years into a shared model of youth ministry with Coordinator of Viatorian Youth Ministry Amanda Fierce at the helm. Here, Amanda shares about these two Bourbonnais parishes; her partnership with religious education and Catholic schools to provide families full youth formation; a balanced set of offerings in youth ministry; and the lives of Viatorian service she encourages in young people. Amanda is a longtime teacher and MBVM parishioner, who also spent some years as a stay-at-home mom; she is coming up on her 2nd anniversary of beginning this role. (This episode debuted on May 18, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:35 Our Two Bourbonnais Parishes 05:16 Teaching the Faith to Young People 07:25 Well-Rounded Youth Ministry 12:26 Encouraging Viatorian Lives of Service  14:26 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV the first American pope will likely be a "where were you when" memory for many Catholics, especially Americans and Viatorians. In this episode, we collect a few stories from the big day and invite your reflection and prayer for Pope Leo XIV as he approaches the first anniversary of this election as pope. (This episode debuted May 4, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Pre-Associate Patrick McGarry 03:03 Associate Dan Schwarz 05:04 Pre-Associate Joanne Andrews 06:32 Fr. John Eustice, CSV 07:44 Associate Dan Masterton 09:46 Fr. Charlie Bolser, CSV 11:46 Fr. Mark Francis, CSV 13:26 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This series exploring our global solidarity has helped demonstrate the amazing joy and vitality of our worldwide Viatorian Community. That joy is perhaps most evident as people from all around our worldwide community share their encouragement for those who might be considering Viatorian association or religious life. So, in this episode, we’re gathering this global chorus of encouragement in one place to show the rich tapestry of our charism and community life and spotlight the warm welcome people will find with us. While we did not get to do full English-language episodes with Japan, Peru, and Chile, their reflections are included here in this wrap-up episode. (This episode debuted on April 20, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Opening Reflection from Japan 03:13 Haiti 04:04 Colombia 04:52 Canada 05:44 Spain 06:39 Burkina Faso 07:43 Ivory Coast 08:31 Honduras 09:23 France 10:18 Chile (Spanish, then English) 12:10 Peru (Spanish, then English) 14:39 Japan 16:23 United States 17:46 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue exploring our global Viatorian solidarity by connecting with the Province of France and Associate Claire Fayolle. Claire is a retired infant/child psychologist who has known the Viatorians from parish life in Oullins, just outside Lyon. She became an associate in 2020 and was a delegate for France to the General Assembly in 2025. The Venerable Louis Querbes was born and raised in Lyon, France, and became a priest of the archdiocese; it was during his ministry in Vourles that Fr. Querbes imagined and founded the Viatorians. In the almost 200 years since, our community has spread from France to ministry and community life in several countries around the world. (This episode debuted on April 7, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:48 How Claire Became a Viatorian 03:34 Catholic Life in France 06:09 The French Viatorian Community 07:48 Living the Charism in Ecology and Immigration Justice 11:07 Faithful and Welcoming Community Life 13:24 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue exploring our global Viatorian solidarity by speaking with Danilo José Hernández Caretero of Honduras. Though Danilo is not a Viatorian, he belongs to a Viatorian parish and has worked with Viatorians for a while. For 16 years and counting, Danilo has worked for SERSO Honduras, the Viatorians’ charitable and community development organization. Danilo is a civil engineer, so he worked first for SERSO as a construction technician and then became project manager. Then three years ago, he began working also as a middle and high school math teacher in our school, Centro Educativo San Viator. The Province of Spain sent professed Viatorians to Honduras in 1998, and they planted the Viatorian charism in Jutiapa. Over time, lay associates have joined, and the Viatorians have developed ministries in the school, ongoing parish work, outreach around the Jutiapa municipality, and SERSO Honduras, modeled after the SERSO organization in Spain. (This episode debuted on March 23, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Meet Danilo 04:20 Our Viatorian Community in Honduras 06:38 How Viatorians Serve in Honduras 07:49 SERSO Honduras 10:47 Encouragement for Discerners 11:58 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue exploring our global Viatorian solidarity by speaking with Fr. Maurice Kouadio of Ivory Coast. Fr. Maurice professed first vows in 2006 and was ordained a priest in 2024. He is director of the school, Groupe Scolaire Saint-Viateur in Bouaké, which includes nursery, primary, and secondary schools, and he serves as vicar to the quasi-parish that utilizes the school chapel there. (This episode debuted March 9, 2026.) 00:00 Introduction 01:44 How Fr. Maurice Became a Viatorian 03:34 Viatorian Community in Ivory Coast 06:06 Becoming a Viatorian Region 08:29 Guidance for Discerners 09:47 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.