Vocations in Colombia continue to grow, as evidenced by Br. Carlos Suarez, CSV, who is the latest Viatorian to profess first vows. The vow ceremony took place Jan. 19 at San Viator Parish in Bogotá and drew nearly all of the Viatorians in Colombia to attend, including from Bogotá and Tunja.
(L-R) Fr. Eduardo Millán, Br. Carlos Suarez and Br. Edwin Barreto
For Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, the first native Colombian to be ordained a Viatorian, says he is excited to see the numbers of Viatorians grow and he attributes the sustained growth to one thing: “Vocations!”
“At the end of this month, two young men will begin their Pre-Novitiate experience,” Fr. Pedro says. “They will join another pre-novice who is beginning his second year of the Pre-Novitiate.”
For Br. Carlos, the vow ceremony came after he spent the last year in formation at the Viatorians’ International Novitiate, or CLAC (Latin American and Caribbean Council) in Puente Alto, Chile. Prior to that he had been living at Casa Querbes at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá, where he taught social studies and philosophy.
The International Novitiate represents a fundamental step in his journey of religious commitment and spiritual growth. CLAC formed in 2001 to serve the growing number of novices in Colombia and Chile. Their year in the novitiate consists of an intense training process as strong preparation for religious life, that includes studies in pastoral, spiritual and academic areas.
Br. Carlos, back row, center, with professed and associate Viatorians in Colombia
Fr. Eduardo Millán, CSV, serves as Novice Master, as he has done for the last several years with the steady stream of novices coming from Colombia and Chile.
Br. Carlos already came to the community with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy at “Universidad Minuto de Dios,” in Bogotá. He now has been assigned to the local community of Tunja, where he will be teaching philosophy and social studies at Colegio San Viator in Tunja.