The presence of the Clerics of Saint Viator in Chile began on November 16, 1957, with the arrival in Viña del Mar of two Viatorian Brothers from Spain: Saturnino San Martín and César Elorrieta. Just a few months later, in March 1958, they took over the direction of the Parish College San Antonio, founded by Father Félix Ruiz de Escudero, himself a former student of the San José College in Vitoria, which was run by the Clerics of Saint Viator.
On February 2, 1962, the congregation established a new community on the La Laguna de Curacaví property, where it administered a primary school for four years. On March 4, 1963, an important milestone was reached with the opening of Saint Viateur College in Ovalle, located in the fourth region.
In March 1964, responding to an invitation from the Society for the Protection of Children, the congregation took over the Las Nieves educational complex in Puente Alto. They remained there for 27 years, profoundly shaping the formation of students and the educational community. On February 24, 1980, the Viatorians took over the El Divino Salvador parish in Ovalle, thus strengthening their pastoral presence in the region.
On August 15, 1987, the Delegation of the Clerics of Saint Viator of Chile gained regional status, consolidating its autonomy within the congregation. A year later, in 1988, the first Chilean associates made their commitments, enriching the congregation with their lay charism. In 1989, Saint Viator College in Macul was inaugurated in the Metropolitan Region. Five years later, in 1994, classes began at the El Señor de Renca Polytechnic High School, strengthening the commitment to technical education and social promotion.
The Viatorian mission extended beyond Chilean borders in June 2001, when Brother José Antonio Izaga and Father Luis Trigueros brought the Viatorian charism to the «Alto Beni» in Bolivia. February 9, 2003, marked a major milestone: the creation of the Province of Chile. The provincial headquarters was initially established in the commune of La Florida before being transferred in 2018 to a building adjacent to Saint Viator College in Macul.
In January 2005, the CLAC novitiate experience began in Puente Alto with a group of novices from the Haiti foundation. In 2007, the educational project of Saint Viator College in Villa Alemana was launched. In the same year, the Viatorians took over the administration of a parish in Cochabamba, Bolivia, a pastoral service carried out with dedication until the end of 2019.
The provincial chapter of April 28, 2012, approved the creation of the Querbes Vocational Guidance Center in Viña del Mar, a space dedicated to welcoming and reflecting for young people. In 2019, the province took over the Saint John the Evangelist parish in Viña del Mar. Additionally, on August 19, 2019, the «Immaculate» parish was created in Ovalle, resulting from the division of the «Divine Savior» parish.
The province also has three retirement homes (Olmué, Sotaquí, and Puente Alto) dedicated to prayer and formation. The history of the Viatorians in Chile is marked by the sacrifice and generosity of many religious and associates dedicated to making Jesus known and adored.
Currently, under the leadership of Fr. Marcelo Lamas Morales, Provincial Superior since 2015, the province continues its mission. In his third term (2023-2026), he continues to guide the Viatorians in their work of evangelization. This history remains alive, written each day by each member of the community in their effort to build the Kingdom of God.
