In Memoriam Br. Donald Houde, CSV More than 40 years after Br. Donald Houde, CSV, left his position as principal of Saint Viator High School, his former faculty members and fellow Viatorians still remembered the “rookie rallies.” “They took place in his office,” says Fr. Patrick Render, CSV, who student taught at the high school under Br. Houde. “They were for first-year teachers as a way to listen, coach and encourage them.” This kind of innovation, quiet wisdom and interest in others were the hallmarks of Br. Houde’s 69 years as a Viatorian. He passed away Sept. 29, 2021, at the age of 91. His funeral took place where his Viatorian life began, in the chapel of the Province Center. Br. Houde was among the first group of religious to profess vows in the chapel which he helped design, back in 1952. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest Viatorian in the Province of Chicago. Br. Houde studied art at the School of the Art Institute and Vogue College of Design, both in Chicago, before he joined the community. Though he left his private life for a religious vocation, he never lost his artistic eye. “He was a very creative teacher and was widely respected for that,” says Fr. Thomas Long, CSV, “he also had a good sense of art and color. His imprint is all over (the Province Center).” Over the years, he helped design many of the common areas of the Province Center and he had a hand in all of the holiday decorations. He eventually evolved into the unofficial historian and curator of its religious art collection. Professionally, Br. Houde built a 40-year career in education, that included teaching at four Viatorian high schools and serving as principal at two, Spalding Institute in Peoria and Saint Viator. He capped his career as curriculum director for the Office of Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago. “In his retirement, he took on the simple role of sacristan at St. Josephat Parish in Chicago and here at the Province Center,” Fr. Render said in his homily. “I think our founder, Fr. Querbes, would be proud of Don’s fulfillment of his ideals as both catechist and Cleric of St. Viator.”
Br. Donald Houde organized a book drive for the Viatorian mission in Belize, back in 2012. He eventually shipped 50 boxes of books to the parish school where Viatorians served.
One of the last projects Br. Houde worked on was designing the Viatorian Community’s annual Christmas card. For the last 10 years, he would scour the Province Center’s religious art collection for a suitable image for the card. He also wrote the inside greeting and edited the description of the community — and of the image — on the back. It was always a labor of love.
“God gifted Don with curiosity and with vision,” Fr. Render added. “He could explore and find treasures in places where many people would never look.” Ironically, last year’s image was one from his very own collection: Madonna con Bambino, a Gothic image by medieval artist Simone Martini. He will be missed. www.viatorians.com 14
