It’s official. The founder of the Clerics of St. Viator is now the Venerable Louis Querbes.
The Venerable Fr. Louis Querbes
The announcement came from the Vatican where on Oct. 2, Fr. Querbes was among eight candidates that Pope Francis advanced one step closer to sainthood.
Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, heard the news from the Postulator for the Cause of Fr. Querbes, Msgr. Paolo Rizzi, in Rome. He relayed that the Commission of Cardinals of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints recommended advancing Fr. Querbes from a Servant of God to being named venerable.
“In a meeting they established that Servant of God Louis Querbes, had lived in an uncommon but heroic degree, all the virtues of faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, prudence and temperance, as well as the evangelical councils,” Fr. Egan said in a statement to the worldwide community.
The announcement came as exciting news to Viatorians around the world who had been praying for the beatification of their founder.
Fr. Robert M. Egan, Superior General, presides at Mass in the Province Center Chapel, where Viatorians pray daily for the beatification of Fr. Louis Querbes
“It is a great joy for the Viatorians in France but also for the entire international Viatorian Community,” said Fr. Pierre Demierre, CSV, Provincial of France, “to see Fr. Querbes acknowledged for his heroic virtues in so many fields.”
Fr. Egan said the decree by Pope Francis now opens the way to beatification.
“However, for this we will need the recognition of a miracle, through the intercession of Venerable Fr. Louis Querbes,” he said. “Let us join our prayers, in seeking the intercession of Fr. Querbes.”
It was back in 2007, that Fr. Querbes was named a Servant of God. On that day, Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, then Superior General, celebrated a Mass in the church Fr. Querbes had built in Vourles, France.
“I am convinced Fr. Querbes is speaking to us today,” Fr. Francis said. “He is telling us to be confident in the future; that our faith in Christ can help us to overcome any obstacle. God is with us!”