Viatorians from around the world wrapped up a five-day conference — the Extraordinary General Council — that took place in Vourles, France, affectionately known as the cradle of the community. Fr. Louis Querbes started the Clerics of St. Viator there in 1831.

The summit drew provincials from all of the Viatorians’ international provinces — including Canada, Chile, Spain, the United States and the delegation of France — in consultation with Viatorian Superior General Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV, and his councilors, Fr. Harry Célestin, CSV, Fr. André Crozier, CSV, Br. Luis Alvarez, CSV, and Br. Carlos Ernesto Flôrez, CSV.

Right from the start, the EGC was meant to be consultative body whose purpose was to promote unity with the General Council and the provinces, and ultimately strengthen bonds across the Viatorian Community.

“It’s a combined leadership group,” says Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, provincial.

Items on the agenda this year included preparing for the General Chapter meeting that will take place in July in Mundelein, IL. They also reviewed the results of the General Assembly meeting that took place in November in Spain, as well as talked about the formation process for religious.

Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV, superior general, celebrates the closing Mass

The first Extraordinary General Council took place in 1966 in Rome, site of the former General Direction, and it included a private audience with Pope Paul VI.

Right from the start, the EGC was meant to be consultative body whose purpose was to promote unity among the international provinces and ultimately strengthen bonds across the Viatorian Community.