Once a year, Viatorian Provincials from around the world meet for an important meeting with Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, Superior General, and members of the General Council. Called the Extraordinary General Council, this international meeting takes place in a different location each time. Last year they met at the Province Center in Arlington Heights, and the year before that in Valladolid, Spain.
Clockwise from bottom left: Fr. Marcelo Lamas of Chile, Br. Benoit Tremblay of Canada, Fr. Carlos Orduna of Ivory Coast, Fr. Gregorio Esquíbel of Spain, Fr. Claudio Rios of Spain, Fr. Ronald Hochman of Canada, Fr. Mark Francis of the US, Br. Jean-Marc St. Jacques of Canada and Fr. Andre Crozier of France
The meeting draws Provincials together from all of the Viatorians’ international provinces — including Canada, Chile, France, Spain and the United States. They also represent their respective Foundations, including Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Haiti, Honduras, Japan and Peru.
Fr. Claudio Rios, Vicar General, Fr. Mark Francis and Br. Jean-Marc St. Jacques listen intently.
The EGC is a means of discussing issues that affect the Provinces and Foundations of the community. Provincials make their PowerPoint presentations and reports to the General Council, which includes Fr. Egan, Fr. Claudio Rios, Vicar General, from Chile; Fr. Andre Crozier, from France; Fr. Carlos Orduna, a native of Spain serving in the Ivory Coast; and Br. Benoit Tremblay of Canada.
Interpreters are needed for this meeting, as members around the table speak three different languages. Consequently, Fr. Ronald Hochman, of Canada, and Fr. John Peeters are in attendance to interpret for the French and Spanish speakers.
“The meeting is going well,” says Fr. Orduna, a member of the General Council. “There is a good atmosphere, good host home, good exchanges and discussions, in both substance and form.”
Ultimately, these Extraordinary General Council meetings promote solidarity between the General Council and the Provinces, and by extension, strengthen the unity of the congregation.
The international gathering offers them the chance to live out their vows as Viatorians, committed to the charism of their founder, the Venerable Louis Querbes, and a fervent desire to advance the interculturality of the Viatorian Community.