Cristo Rey St. Viator faculty members opened the start of their second semester Monday with a morning retreat, led by Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial. In it, he focused on discerning God’s gift to each person and appreciating the larger charism of the Viatorian Community that is part of the founding vision of Cristo Rey St Viator as a Catholic school.
Fr. Mark Francis speaks to faculty members.
“I encouraged them to respond to their work as educators as a vocation, and not just a job,” Fr. Francis said afterwards.
Specifically, he asked faculty members: “How do you know if you’re truly living out your charism, or if you’re just going through the motions?”
Br. Carlos Florez, CSV, who serves as Director of Catholic and Viatorian Identity at the school, described the morning and the entire retreat as a reflection of the Viatorian mission, which embodies selfless love that calls Viatorians to build communities where faith isn’t just something they talk about. It’s something they live and celebrate together, with their students and parishioners.
“It’s about a lively and enlightened faith that draws us closer to Christ and to one another,” Br. Carlos says, “living out God’s providence in our everyday actions and trusting in His guidance. Following the original inspiration of Fr. Querbes, we do what we do because we are called to live this charism, which is not just an ideal but a living witness to the Gospel.”
The retreat opened with a Mass.
Fr. Francis encouraged faculty members to think of their work as a prayer, turning everything they do into an act of love that brings them closer to God. That’s what makes it a true vocation, he said, rooted in a sincere and selfless love for others, especially those who are most in need.
For Br. Carlos, who works to immerse the Viatorian mission throughout the foundation of the school, credited Fr. Francis with describing it well: “To truly live out your charism means serving others with a heart full of love — especially the poor and vulnerable — not out of obligation, but because of the love Christ has shown us. And here’s the real test: when you can find joy in the growth and success of others, when their journey becomes part of your own, that’s when you know you’re truly living your charism — with purpose, grace, and in the heart of Christ.”