Walking into St. George Parish in Bourbonnais — site of this year’s Viatorian Youth Congress — cheers erupted as each new delegation arrived. After three years of restrictions due to the pandemic, coming back together to share in the Viatorian charism, was exhilarating.
Br. John Eustice welcomes delegates.
Six delegations arrived, coming from Bishop Gorman High School, Cristo Rey St. Viator and St. Viator Catholic Community, all in Las Vegas; as well as Cristo Rey St. Martin in Waukegan, St. Patrick Church in Kankakee, and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.
“The delegates are out and about like we never left,” says Br. John Eustice, CSV, who helped to plan this year’s congress along with Associate Karen Cutler and Pre-Associate Dan Masterton.
Viatorians, both associates and professed, are involved in all aspects of the congress, as they live out the Viatorian mission to accompany young people on their faith journey.
Associate and professed Viatorians involved in VYC
Throughout the congress, delegates engage with Viatorians through different types of prayer, daily Masses and even one-on-one interviews. Today’s agenda includes a pilgrimage as teens learn more about their Viatorian roots at historic parishes in the Bourbonnais/Kankakee region where Viatorians have served, some for 150 years.
Viatorians created VYC in 2010 as a way to bring together teens from various Viatorian ministry sites. Over the years, it has evolved into a leadership experience for high school faith leaders.
Follow daily activities — even hour by hour — @viatorianusa on Instagram.
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- Saint Viator High School delegation
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- Cristo Rey St. Martin delegation
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- St. Patrick Church delegation
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- St. Viator Catholic Community delegation
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- Bishop Gorman High School delegation
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- Cristo Rey St. Viator delegation