2. Note: As the Charter of the Viatorian Community is included in the 29th General
Chapter Capitular Acts’booklet, in this digital version will retain the same
pages in the booklet.
3. Dear Viatorians,
The Second General Assembly of the Viatorian Community, held in
Bogotá in 2011, profited from a re-reading of the principle stages
that marked its development over the past decades. Since the
adoption of the Constitution of the Clerics of St. Viator (1983) until
today, the way leading to a real sharing in the common charism,
which serves as the basis for the Viatorian community, has become
clearer. It is our charism that brings together religious and lay
people or those with ordained ministries in an experimental
network of association that is the Viatorian Community.
Our community development, always faithful to this idea dear to Fr.
Querbes to associate us with other persons, represents a real
creativity in being church. It is based on a fundamental equality of
the children of God and on the complimentary relationships among
us; thus we are confirmed in the mission that the Church has given
us. More than ever we must be determined to build “communities
where the faith is lived, deepened, and celebrated among ourselves
and with those with whom we live and work and where all are
called to be co-responsible.
Conscious of this development, the General Assembly of Bogotá of
February 2011 presented a revised text of the Charter of the
Viatorian Community to the 29th General Chapter. The Chapter
received the revised Charter and adopted it without modifications,
wishing to respect the consensus that was arrived at by the General
Assembly of 2011. It wished, however, that a clarifying text be
added regarding the ways of belonging to the Viatorian Community.
You will find this text appended to the Charter. Although not
officially part of the Charter, this document offers an important
clarification as to what we believe about belonging to the Viatorian
Community. It will belong to a future General Assembly to make a
decision as to its possible inclusion in the text of the Charter itself.
-59-
4. It is important to remember the experimental character of the
Viatorian Community. It has existed since 1994 and has borne fruit
in the in the Church wherever it has existed. However, it has been
clearly understood that we must continue our experimentation
while carrying out the necessary consultations in view of its official
recognition at an opportune moment. Despite this juridical
clarification, the normative consensus that is expressed by the
Charter has the force of conviction and ought to inspire the
commitment of all Viatorians to be an active part in the life and
mission of the Viatorian Community.
In following our path we will continue to evolve; the Charter itself
will be clarified along the way. We continue to live a dynamic
relationship with this reference text. Let it have the space necessary
so that it is able to constantly inspire what we want to become
together in faithfulness to the charism given to us by Fr. Querbes.
By this document, in conformity to Chapter Decision 4 of the
General Chapter of 2012, I recognize this text as henceforth the
Charter of the Viatorian Community.
May Jesus by adored and loved!
Alain Ambeault, c.s.v.
Superior General
Rome, September 11, 2012
-60-
5. CHARTER
OF THE VIATORIAN COMMUNITY
Rediscovering “an idea cherished by Father Louis Querbes,” the
1978 General Chapter gave new life to the “Lay Catechists” that our
Founder had imagined, but that historical circumstances had
prevented him from carrying out. Henceforth, the Congregation
could accept as associates those persons who, without having made
vows, would commit themselves to participate in its mission,
spirituality and community life.
The 1994 General Chapter, going one step further, recognized the
existence of the Viatorian Community1 and, in the spirit of the
promotion of the laity stipulated by Vatican II as well as the adapted
renewal of the religious life, proclaimed that “religious and
associates are henceforth become in the community co-heirs of the
founder’s charism and co-responsible for its development (cf. 1994
CD 5). And, in fact, the Viatorian Community2 has, little by little,
become an entity that includes both Viatorian religious and
Viatorian associates that has undertaken its own organization
according to the recommendations of the 2000 General Chapter (cf.
CD 11 to 15: 2000).
As a result of the wide consensus about the essential elements of
the International Viatorian Community that was reached at the first
General Assembly – held in Ariccia from July 1-7, 2006 –the General
Chapter of 2006 gave official status to a Charter that permitted an
ongoing experimentation with and development of the Viatorian
Community.
1 A name derived from Saint Viator who Fr. Querbes chose as model and patron for his
disciples. Saint Viator was a lector and catechist of the church of Lyons during the fourth
century and a faithful companion of his Bishop, Saint Just.
2 For a clarification of the term “Viatorian” see the appendix.
-61-
6. The Viatorian Community held its Second General Assembly in
Bogotá, February 2-9, 2011. Reviewing the text of the Charter, the
delegates proposed corrections in order to help make this
document the most accurate reflection possible of the Viatorian
Community and the challenges it faces to be faithful to its charism.
The General Chapter, held in 2012, approved this revised Charter
and authorized its publication for the whole of the Community.
1. Identity of the Viatorian Community
The Viatorian Community is part of today’s movement toward
association taking place throughout the Church; a movement urging
religious life to become more open to the world and inviting lay
people to participate in the charism of religious institutes. Common
contact among the members of the community establishes a
relationship of complementarity among its various vocations and
invites each vocation to an ongoing renewal inspired by the Spirit. In
this way, each member is responsible for the development of the
whole Viatorian Community.
1.1 Definition
The Viatorian Community is a gift of the Spirit to the Church; it is
called to be a prophetic sign in the world. It is the result of an
invitation addressed to persons who have made commitments in
different states of life (religious life, secular life, even ordained
ministries), who all follow in the footsteps of Jesus and who are
living out the Gospel according to Father Querbes’ charism as
translated today into the Viatorian charism.
1.2 Ways of Belonging3
Viatorians have received the same fundamental vocation to the
Christian life expressed and enabled through baptism, as well as a
particular vocation to live a special charism – inspired by that of
Father Querbes. But they have also received a specific vocation that
is proper to their state of life that entails unique rights and duties.
3
The General Chapter asked that the Charter be accompanied by a text, taken from
the deliberations of the Chapter, that would clarify the forms of belonging to the
Viatorian Community. See appendix 2.
-62-
7. Thus it is that Viatorian religious welcome the consecrated life as a
gift from God and, through their religious profession, order their
lives according to the fundamental evangelical counsels: celibacy for
the Kingdom, poverty in the sharing of possessions and not
individually owning any material resources, and obedience in
searching for the will of God and remaining open to serving the
common mission within the Community. They become members of
the Viatorian Community by their religious profession in the
Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator.
The road to God for Viatorian associates (men and women, single
and married) is found through their commitment in regard to the
Viatorian charism. This road is normally marked with realities such
as: the family, ownership of possessions, and freedom in organizing
their lives. To all of those is added their commitment with respect to
the Viatorian charism. Viatorian associates become members of the
Viatorian Community by their public commitment to live out the
Gospel according to the Viatorian charism.
These two vocations flourish within one and the same community to
which they bring their complementary gifts for the implementation
of the same charism.
2. The Charism of the Viatorian Community
Every religious family emphasizes a particular image of Jesus Christ
and his Gospel – that is every religious family has its own charism
that always includes three essential elements: mission, spiritual life,
and community life. These are precisely the three elements defined
in our Constitution (C 5). They are applicable to the Viatorian
-63-
8. Community ever since the associates were declared to be “co-heirs
of the founder’s charism and co-responsible for its development.”
2.1 Mission
The mission of the Viatorian Community is to announce Jesus Christ
and his Gospel and to raise up communities where faith is lived,
deepened, and celebrated (C 8).
All Viatorians are co-responsible for that mission and strive to carry
it out through their work as educators and through their other
pastoral, professional, and domestic activities.
Viatorians devote themselves to deepening their learning of the
Word of God in order to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ,
especially among the young and the abandoned in today’s world (cf.
C 9) and to working in favor of peace and social justice. They are
especially devoted to catechesis and liturgical ministry.
By virtue both of their founder’s initial design that wanted them to
be “parochial clerics” and of their history, Viatorians, wherever they
may be, are called to collaborate with local churches and, at the
same time, to make known their charism through dialogue with
their bishops and other pastoral agents.
For this reason we collaborate with women and men with whom
they live and work; we likewise welcome and provide special
support for those persons who commit themselves to the mission in
the name of Gospel values.
2.2 The Spiritual Life of the Viatorian Community
The Viatorian Community embraces the spiritual heritage of Father
Louis Querbes, who, through the practice of the “ordinary virtues,”4
was nourished by a “lively and enlightened faith” and a “boundless
confidence in Divine Providence” integrating faith and life, faith and
justice.
4 The expression “ordinary virtues” was Father Querbes’ way of indicating the daily tasks
inherent in each person’s duties of state.
-64-
9. Spirituality pervades the mission exercised with an “ardent and
disinterested zeal” in educational, liturgical, charitable, professional
and everyday activities.
Viatorians constantly renew that tradition by striving to promote an
“awareness of God’s presence,” by meditating on the Word,
celebrating the Eucharist, in their devotion to the Blessed Mother
and through other devotions proper to their culture.
In this way contemplation and action are joined for associates and
religious alike according to Father Querbes’ well-known motto: that
always and everywhere “May Jesus be adored and loved.”
2.3 Community Life
The Viatorian Community is called upon to present a new image of
Gospel-inspired fraternal life: “By this shall they know that you are
my disciples…” (John 13:35).
The lifestyle of the Viatorian Community, as a group, must be a sign
of God’s presence. Following the example of the first Christian
community (cf. Acts 2:42), local Viatorian communities are invited
to become small church communities that announce the Good News
through witness to their neighbors.
The Viatorian Community encourages its members to live out
mutual relationships through interaction and creativity. It likewise
urges them to be open, welcoming, respectful of diversity, and to
work together harmoniously.
The Viatorian Community also encourages all Viatorians to strive to
discover and develop the obligations of their respective states of life
and to more radically practice their “following of Christ” (sequela
Christi). At the same time these complimentary forms of discipleship
are meant to make the charism better known in order to more
effectively serve the Church.
We regard the Viatorian Community, in a certain sense, as a “new
community,” because it constitutes an new way of being community
in “the Church, the People of God.” The specific characteristics of
-65-
10. our community affirm the diversity of vocations, equality, unity,
communion, complementarity, a sense of belonging, and co-
responsibility lived in the midst of the world.
2.4 Making the charism better known
The Viatorian Community, wherever present, has a positive
influence especially upon organizations and groups that are
attracted by our charism. Such situations lead us to rejoice and to
encourage making our charism better known as long as it
contributes to bringing about the Kingdom.
3. Formation
The needs of our lives as well as the demands of the mission point
to the importance of an initial and continuing formation that is
serious, in line with the Viatorian charism, and sensitive to the
different cultural contexts where we live and work. The Viatorian
Ratio Formationis published in 2010 is a basic reference for our
formation.
3.1 Areas of Formation
It is for these reasons that formation needs to deal with a wide
range of issues: human, Christian, and Viatorian.
Human formation nurtures the growth of each person’s abilities and
gifts, helping to also recognize personal limitations, and to promote
working with others in the context of a multicultural and
international world.
Christian formation involves drawing upon the twin sources of the
Word of God and the liturgy as well as in following Jesus Christ in
order to proclaim the Good News.
Viatorian formation, which is nourished by the thought of Father
Querbes and by Viatorian traditions, strengthens one’s sense of
belonging and one’s understanding of the charism.
3.2 Initial and On-Going Formation
-66-
11. Initial formation prepares religious for their first profession and
accompanies them to the moment of their perpetual profession,
which is the fruit of an evolving vocational discernment.
Initial formation of associates leads them to their temporary or
definitive commitment, which is which is the fruit of an evolving
vocational discernment.
Viatorians are to continue their formation throughout their lives in
order to meet the needs of the Church and the world.
3.3 Formation of Formation Personnel
The formation of formation personnel and others who provide
accompaniment, religious and associates alike, constitutes an
important role in spiritual growth and discernment. Great care
needs to be taken in forming Viatorians called to a particular
ministry within the Viatorian Community, the Church, and in a
particular apostolic work.
The provinces and foundations will refer to the Viatorian Ratio
Formationis in order to define the objectives, curriculum,
methodology, personnel, and other resources to be used in the
formation process, including drawing on the help of outside
organizations when deemed necessary. Regular evaluations should
be made to monitor the effectiveness of these programs.
4. Vocation Ministry
A vocation is a gift from God that most often grows and develops
through human intermediaries.
4.1 Mutual Responsibility
As Viatorians we are equally responsible for vocation ministry in the
Viatorian Community. We need to make it our heartfelt duty to
awaken in those around us a spirit of generosity and self-giving, a
sense of belonging to Jesus Christ, and a desire to serve his Church.
Our personal witness will lead others to consider their particular
vocation in the Viatorian Community.
4.2 Vocation Awareness
Within our local communities we ought to strive to promote
vocation awareness, which means that the members will be
-67-
12. concerned about vocations, especially in prayer. They should also
encourage those among us who are gifted in discovering, inviting
and accompanying possible candidates during their process of
discernment.
4.3 Ways and Means
The Viatorian Community, concerned about its visibility, will make
itself known in appropriate ways and will seize upon occasions for
highlighting its charism. That visibility will become evident through
work with young people and families and especially with those
groups that are involved with the Community.
The diffusion of the charism occasioned by the recent introduction
of the cause of Fr. Querbes is a support and stimulus in developing
an effective and dynamic vocation ministry.
More than ever, inviting people to a vocation in the Viatorian
Community should become a priority for all.
5. Structures of Animation and Government in the Viatorian
Community.
The Viatorian Community became a reality by decision of the
Chapter of 1994 which awaits canonical approval. Article 5 of the
Constitution of the Congregation was the inspiration for this
decision.
5.1 Different levels of organization are being established
The Viatorian Community has been primarily lived out and
continues to be lived out in local communities, the ideal setting for
all to draw more closely together and participate in the Community.
The Viatorian Community has begun the process of organizing itself
in the provinces and certain foundations. In some instances,
Assemblies and Councils of the Viatorian Community have been
established.
On the level of the provinces, delegation and some of the
foundations, different governmental structures of the Viatorian
Community have been established.
-68-
13. On the international level, the Viatorian Community has celebrated
two General Assemblies whose members came to a consensus on
the essential elements to be included in the present Charter.
The growth in the number of associates in the provinces and
delegation, and their presence in almost all the foundations show
that the present moment is the right time to strengthen structures
for the Viatorian Community.
5.2 Orientations of the General Assembly of the Viatorian
Community
The Second General Assembly of the Viatorian Community has
articulated its convictions about these structures as well as several
orientations:
The structures ought to be flexible in order to respond to that
which is common to both religious and associates and to
reflect the new reality of the Viatorian Community;
These structures should spring from local level and at the
same time be inspired by developments within the whole
Viatorian Community maintaining a reciprocal relationship.
(Local and Provincial structures, e.g., The Assembly of the
Viatorians Community, Congress, a Common Council, etc.)
The General Assembly of the Viatorian Community has
become an important place where co-responsibility is carried
out.
These structures should favor the development of the
Viatorian Community through the active participation of all its
members in a dynamic of solidarity.
These structures are to be economically viable by means of
the financial participation of all Viatorians.
5.3 Decisions of the Chapter of 2006 and 2012
The General Chapters of 2006 and 2012 that followed the
Assembly,5 after having:
5
Using the term “Assembly” in the singular, this section makes reference to the
two General Assemblies of the Viatorian Community of 2006 and 2011.
-69-
14. recognized by CD 2006, 9.3.1, the existence and the
appropriateness of the structures already set in place—and in
certain countries, particular structures for associates in the
framework of the Viatorian Community— in the application of
the chapter decisions of the 2000 Chapter (cf. CD 2000:11-15: 4,
5),
asked that the experience of the General Assembly of the
Viatorian Community be pursued (cf. CD 2006: 9.3.2; CD 2012,
7)),
adopted the following principles to promote the relationship of the
organizations of the Viatorian Community with those of the
Congregation:
The respective competence of each category of organization
should be defined; the Chapters will deal with that which
belongs to the religious, the Assembly with that which is
common to both religious and associates (cf. CD 2006: 9.3.2).
The canonical norms to which the Congregation is bound
always need to be considered in the experimenting with
structures (cf. CD 2006: 9.3.4).
Moreover, the financial participation of all Viatorians proposed by
the Assembly was approved as necessary for the functioning of the
Viatorian Community, while reserving the task of adjusting this
participation on the practical level to the organizations and those
responsible on various levels (cf. CD 2006: 9.2; DC 2012: 9).
At the same time the article 6.f of the General Regulations needs to
be kept in mind: “The Congregation and the associates retain their
respective autonomy and independence in regard to all
professional, financial and civil matters” (cf.CD 2006: 9.2).
The Community henceforth enjoys further points of reference that
will facilitate its development with the effective participation of
associates and religious under the leadership of the Major Superiors
who are the guarantors of unity and of faithfulness to the charism.
6. A Community called to International Solidarity
-70-
15. Over the course of its history one of the important characteristics of
the international Viatorian Community has been to promote
personnel exchanges and a sustained generosity of the various parts
of the community, one to another. In addition, the call to develop a
greater international solidarity has promoted a heightened
consciousness for ongoing conversion in this area.
We therefore need to take another step to promote a new sense of
belonging among the Viatorian communities throughout the world.
All Viatorians are invited to discover this international side to our
identity that makes us even more responsible for our common
reality and for the mission we carry out in our different countries.
International Viatorian solidarity challenges us to be sensitive and
responsive to the world’s needs. It calls upon us to be aware of what
is going on and to respond with conviction.
Looking to the Future
The General Assembly of the Viatorian Community of 2006
proposed the basic elements of the Charter. The General Chapter
which followed not only affirmed these elements, but authorized
the promulgation of the first Charter of the Viatorian Community,
making it the basic guide for building and developing the Viatorian
Community.
Recognizing that the Viatorian Community has its own existence and
that it’s international character calls all Viatorians to develop a new
form of solidarity among one another and with the world, the
General Assembly of 2011 takes another step in discerning the path
on which the Spirit is leading us. It resolutely invites all Viatorians to
welcome the future as a gift of God, by becoming actively involved
in taking up the challenges clarified by the re-reading of our history.
The emerging future of the Viatorian Community makes us more
and more convinced of the relevance of our mission in the Church
-71-
16. and even more committed to answering the challenges of today’s
men and women. This promising future becomes possible only if we
recommit ourselves once more to this mission, lived in light of the
Viatorian charism, in order to help build God’s Kingdom.
The promulgation of the revised Charter, authorized by the General
Chapter of 2012, allows us to accept every more clearly the
challenge announced by the first version of the Charter:
… progress and growth will depend on the degree that the
religious live out their profession and the associates live out
their commitments with conviction and constancy, responding
faithfully to the call of the Gospel. Let us—religious and
associates—move ahead with determination, following in the
steps of Fr. Querbes, proud to be his heirs. At the end of the
Directory of 1836 he told us: “Strive to do everything well so
that through you
Jesus may be adored and loved!”
Rome, September 11, 2012
-72-
17. Appendix 1
Use of the name “Viatorian”
The Viatorian Community is a real association of the baptized who
have received and recognized the call of God to serve the Church
and the world through the Viatorian charism. Religious, lay people
and ordained ministers who make this community are all associated
for this purpose.
The name “Viatorian” that the General Chapter of 2000 decided
should be applied to all of the members of the Viatorian community,
underscores a common identity. It ought be used and promoted.
Nevertheless, this does not exclude the possibility of using more
specific names.
Thus, the name “Viatorian religious” refers to those committed to
the Congregation of the Clerics of St. Viator and the Viatorian
Community through the three vows proper to the consecrated life.
The name “Viatorian associate” refers to lay people, women and
men, as well as to those in ordained ministries who are joined to the
Community though their public commitments.
This last name, although unsatisfactory for some since it appears
incomplete, describes well, however, according to the very
definition of the word associate, that all Viatorians are united in
order to accomplish the ends of the Community. In this sense, the
term “associate” does not refer fundamentally to a condition of
subordination, but indicates, rather, a state of equality and co-
responsibility described by the Chapter of 1994 when it affirmed
that “religious and associates are co-heirs of the founder’s charism
and co-responsible for its development.”
-73-
18. Appendix 2
Ways of Belonging to the Viatorian Community
Viatorian religious and associates are full members of the Viatorian
Community. These two groups express in different but very real
ways their belonging to the Viatorian charism.
Viatorian religious, by their religious profession, receive the grace to
follow Christ who was poor, chaste and obedient, and thus enter
the religious life. This religious profession before the Superior
General of the Clerics of St. Viator (or his delegate) according to the
Constitution approved by the Holy See (C. 19) joins them to the
Viatorian charism. This profession itself incorporates them into the
Viatorian Community.
Viatorian associates, by their public commitment to live Gospel
values, responds personally to a call of the Lord. This commitment
lived according to the Viatorian charism incorporates them into the
Viatorian Community.
The charism is the definitive reference and common heritage of all
Viatorians. The Viatorian charism calls us to live the whole of Gospel
life in a particular and original way emphasizing certain aspects of
the Gospel.
In local Viatorian communities, all are called to form real
communities of faith together, or even small ecclesial communities
able to witness the Gospel to the people around them. It is thus at
the heart of the “new evangelization” promoted by the Church
today.
-74-
