Viatorians have served the people of Haiti for nearly 60 years, including more than 40 years when they were based at Villa Manrèse in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. However, Villa Manrèse was destroyed in 2010 due to a devastating earthquake. After years of uncertainty and trying to finance the building of its replacement, construction on the newly named Villa Saint-Viateur began in 2021, thanks in part to a $1 million grant from the Province of Chicago.
Villa Manrese was a total loss after the 2010 earthquake.
This past December, after two years of construction great anticipation, Villa Saint-Viateur opened with widespread excitement.
“The U.S. Province was happy to contribute to the rebuilding of the Villa Saint-Viateur in Port-au-Prince because of its crucial mission,” says Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial. “This retreat house has served as the central gathering place and ministry for Viatorians in Haiti, and has been a wonderful place of calm and prayer for religious and lay church workers who have sought a respite from their work in other parts of Haiti.”
This is the second time Viatorians have refurbished Villa Manrèse. It was given to the Viatorian by the Jesuits after they were expelled from Haiti by the dictator François Duvalier in 1964. The building had to be refurbished at that time by the Viatorians since it was sacked by Duvalier’s followers. Its former name, Manrèse, alludes to the place in Catalunya where St Ignatius was inspired to write the spiritual exercises.
Construction began in 2021.
The Viatorians’ sizeable grant came about following the proposal of the Provincial at the time, Fr. Dan Hall, CSV, and the Provincial Council in 2020, and the approval of Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, Superior General and the General Council. At the time Fr. Egan described the support of the Province of Chicago as an “example of international solidarity” within the Viatorian Community.
Ultimately, the Provincial Chapter of Chicago then voted to donate the sum of $1 million dollars for the reconstruction of the Villa. The Province also agreed extend a loan of $2 million over a period of 12 years to assist in this project.
Construction took more than two years, but Villa Saint-Viateur opened Dec. 9, 2023 in Port-au-Prince with an evening reception accompanied by live music.
Workers apply the final touches before its opening in December.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your support in such a labor-intensive project,” Br. Jean-Marc St. Jacques, CSV, Provincial of Canada wrote to Fr. Francis, “and for your confidence in the future.”
Recognition plaques now hang in the new Villa Saint-Viateur, thanking Fr. Egan and his General Council, as well as Fr. Francis and his Provincial Council, and the Provincial Council of Canada.
“Despite the recent problems of security in Haiti, it has been gratifying to learn that the Villa Saint-Viateur has been protected from harm by the people of the neighborhood who are proud of this center,” Fr. Francis says. “We pray that the new Villa Saint-Viateur serves the people of Haiti for many years, as the heart of the Viatorian presence and charism on the island.”