Spirituality

Father Querbes and the “Ordinary Way,” Part I

Father Querbes and the “Ordinary Way,” Part II

Spirituality is a dynamic process, the result of a relationship with God, with people, and with the cosmos, a dynamic process that deeply unifies the corporal, affective, and intelligent aspects of the person. It brings about an integration of eros, friendship, and agape. That is why everything in spiritual men and women is filled with God, who is Love.

Viatorian Spirituality is nourished by the spirituality of Father Louis Querbes, by his charism as our founder, and especially by the Spirit who guided his personal history. It perpetuates certain traits particular to its origins: a spirituality of the laity and a spirituality of consecrated life. It is deeply marked by faith and the dimensions of mission.

Imbued with Sacred Scripture, Father Querbes lived a biblical spirituality. During his time on earth, Jesus continued extending an invitation to faith, responsibility, and giving. Our founder responded to that invitation, truly blending together adorationand love, which leads to contemplation and mission.

Father Querbes’ life was characterized by two verbs – believing and loving. Viatorians are called to follow his example – embracing the phrase “faith in action”.

Additionally, Father Querbes called each Viatorian to adopt the following phrases and personal mottos as a guide to the spiritual life: “Look at zeal; it is love that is more intense, more alive, more ardent; it is yours. Zeal is nothing less than divine love set in motion….it is tenderness, compassion, humility…zeal is charity in its fullest expression.” The cornerstone motto, which seems to have been created by our founder, remains the motto of the Viatorian Community, “Adored and Loved be Jesus.” It is because of one’s contemplation and love of Jesus, the Viatorian is moved to action and thus embraces the motto embossed upon our community seal, “Let the little children come unto me.” Contemplation takes place through meeting God in people who are poor and are considered of little importance, “the little ones” who are embraced as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

“Prayer in our congregation is marked by a spirituality inspired by the intentions of Father Querbes. He desired that, as individuals and as a community, we become people of “living and enlightened faith,” eager to listen to God’s Word, fully members of his People and faithful to its bishops. Finally, it was his desire that the Eucharist be at the center of our lives and that devotion to Mary have a special place among us.” (CRG page 23 #21)

We have inherited from our founder a special love for the Word of God, as it is read, interiorized, shared, and celebrated. This Word is the real basis of our spiritual life. It inspires our personal prayer and our prayer in community. It helps us to share and celebrate our faith with one another. It sustains us in our service of the People of God. The Word of God, revealed in the Scriptures and proclaimed within the Church, is also to be read in the needs and appeals of those to whom we are sent.

As we listen to the Word, we are moved to a lively interest in liturgical life which is a characteristic of Viatorians. The Eucharist is the sacrifice of the New Covenant, the celebration of the saving presence of the Risen Lord, and the sacrament of faith. In it, we find the source of accomplishment of our personal relationship with the Lord and of our communion with our brothers and the entire People of God. We consider it a duty, therefore, to celebrate the Eucharist daily and to foster a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Viatorians constantly renew these traditions by striving to maintain a sense of God’s presence through contemporary means of contemplation and service to the People of God. In this way, contemplation and action continue to be joined together for associates and religious alike according to the charism and spirituality imbued in our founder so that together we might be able to pray anew “Adored and Loved be Jesus”.