The stars aligned for the Viatorian Community over the weekend, when three new priests were ordained — and all on the same day.
Archbishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa lays his hands on Fr. Fr Koyé François and Fr Maurice Kouadio.
These new priests reflect areas of growth in the Viatorian Community, specifically in the global south, including the native countries of these new priests, in Ivory Coast and Colombia.
Fr. Nestor Fils-Aimé, CSV, Superior General, recognized these areas of growth in vocations, after he was installed this summer and selected religious from Ivory Coast and Colombia to be on his General Council.
“The emergence of these communities announces a promising future,” Fr. Fils-Aimé said.
Newly ordained priests Fr Koyé François and Fr Maurice Kouadio rejoice.
At the ordination in Ivory Coast, Fr. Koyé François, CSV, and Fr. Maurice Kouadio, CSV, were ordained by Msgr. Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa, Archbishop of Bouaké. Their ordination took place in the Chapel of the College of St. Viator in Bouaké, and drew many of the Viatorians ministering in Ivory Coast to attend.
Fr. Carlos Orduna, CSV, who is a native of Spain but has been teaching at the College in Bouaké for many years shared the happy news with the international Viatorian Community: “We have two new priests in Ivory Coast. Congratulations and fruitful ministry!”
On the very same day, some 4,500 miles away and across the North Atlantic Ocean, another Viatorian priest was ordained. Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, was ordained at the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santiago in Tunja, Colombia. Msgr. Gabriel Angel Villa Vahos, Archbishop of Tunja, officiated alongside Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial.
Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque during the ordination
More than one dozen Viatorians processed into the historic cathedral for the ordination. Cathedral Basilica of Santiago is located on the eastern side of the Plaza de Bolívar, in the historic center of the city of Tunja. Its construction dates back to the 16th century.
Fr. Ubaque entered the Viatorian Community in 2010, as a pre-novice. He professed first vows in 2013 and began his ministry as a teacher at Colegio San Viator.
In 2016, he was one three Viatorians to open a second school, Colegio San Viator in Tunja. He worked there as a teacher, pastoral coordinator and dean of students. More recently, Fr. Ubaque has served at San Viator Parish in Bogotá, with Fr. Frank Enciso, CSV, Pastor, and Fr. Felipe Montes, CSV. Both of his confreres were on hand for his ordination.
Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque offers thanks after the ordination.
In all, four Viatorian priests have been ordained this year, including Fr. John Eustice, CSV, who was ordained in June in Las Vegas and now directs the Campus Ministry program at Saint Viator High School.
Then, as on Saturday, it was a joyful day for the worldwide Viatorian Community.