Upon the death of Father Louis Querbes, the Congregation had between 250 and 300 members (including about fifty in Canada) spread across four provinces: Vourles, Saint-Flour, Rodez, and Canada. Although the project to associate lay catechists was not immediately realized, the founder maintained hope until the end that this vision would one day come to fruition.
The missions varied by region:
Between 1859 and 1880, growth in France was sustained before slowing down due to political turmoil. The religious were forced to leave municipal schools to open free but impoverished parish schools. In 1900, there were 500 French religious out of a total of 760.
Expansion was beginning in America: in Canada, the province had 215 members in 1897. In the United States, three Canadian religious founded a school in Bourbonnais in 1865, and the province of Chicago was born in 1882.
In May 1903, the French government ordered the closure of 11,000 religious institutions. Within two months, the Viatorian structures in France collapsed: provincial houses and novitiates were closed, personnel were dispersed, schools disappeared, and properties were seized by the state.
International solidarity was organized: Belgium welcomed the province of Vourles, Spain served as a refuge for that of Rodez, and Canada received 31 French confreres. The First World War further decimated the Congregation: 29 young men perished in combat. From 1907-1908, the North American religious became more numerous than their European confreres.
The Canadian staff exploded, reaching 1146 religious on 1760 in 1960 (two-thirds of the Congregation). This dynamism allowed for the development of renowned high schools (Joliette, Rigaud), the creation of institutes for the deaf and blind, and geographic expansion to the East, North, and West of Canada.
International foundations multiplied: Manchuria (1931), Japan (1948), Taiwan (1953), Peru (1959), Haiti (1965) and Burkina Faso (1999). The province of Chicago distinguished itself in higher education, founding a school in Bogotá (1961). Spain became an autonomous province in 1947 and established itself in Chile (1957).
The Second Vatican Council and the pontificate of John XXIII brought a new era, but the late 1960s were also marked by an institutional crisis and numerous departures. The General Chapters of 1969 and 1972, as well as the new Constitution of 1978, allowed for a rediscovery of the essence of the Viatorian mission.
This renewal saw the rebirth of the idea of lay associates. Today, men and women share the mission and spirit of the Congregation, integrating into local communities according to country-specific models.
The current mission is defined by the proclamation of the Gospel and the creation of faith communities, extending Father Querbes' work with young people and parishes. Faithful to the orientations of 1984, the Congregation prioritizes disadvantaged young people.
The dawn of the 21st century was marked by new commitments in Burkina Faso and Honduras. The Viatorian Community today gathers 340 religious and 340 associate laity, present in 13 countries.
The recent missionary deployment has had mixed fortunes: while missions were initiated in Belize and Bolivia, these establishments did not survive the departure of their founders. Conversely, the presence in Honduras, launched by Spain in 1998, endures thanks to the collaboration between Spanish religious and Honduran lay associates.
Since 1953, the canonization process for Louis Querbes has been progressing. On October 2, 2019, Pope Francis declared him «Venerable,» recognizing the heroic exercise of his theological and cardinal virtues. The community continues to promote knowledge of him and pray for his intercession. In 2025, Father Macaire Wendena Sandouidi was appointed postulator to continue this mission.
In keeping with an idea dear to our Founder, our Congregation welcomes others who wish to participate in its mission, its spiritual life and its apostolic action.
