New Provincial Council Accepts a Call to Leadership

In a process steeped in tradition, Viatorians of the Province of Chicago chose Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, as their provincial, along with members of his Provincial Council. The election took place in November, and these new Viatorian leaders were installed in December.

“I am humbled and challenged by the confidence my brother Viatorians have placed in me by my election as provincial,” Fr. Francis said. “We look upon the role of provincial as being the primary pastor of the province, elected to serve and care for all Viatorians in the U.S. and Colombia.”

Along with Fr. Francis, the membership elected Fr. Edgar Suarez, CSV, of Bogotá and Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, of Las Vegas to serve on the Provincial Council. Fr. Francis later appointed Fr. Richard Rinn, CSV, of Las Vegas as Assistant Provincial and Br. Michael Gosch, CSV, who lives in Arlington Heights, as another Councilor.

After serving as Superior General of the worldwide Viatorian Community from 2000 to 2012, and leading Catholic Theological Union as its president for the last seven years, Fr. Francis now serves as the 19th Provincial to lead the U.S. Province.

“This role also entails being attentive to how we are accomplishing our mission as witnesses to Jesus Christ and followers of Fr. Louis Querbes our founder, who reached out to the poor, the young, and those on the periphery of society, assuring them of God’s love, care and concern,” he added. “I was able to say ‘yes’ to this challenge because of my confidence in the prayers and support of all the members of the province.”

The election of a new provincial happens once every four years, drawing professed Viatorians together from throughout the United States and Colombia. According to the constitution of the Clerics of St. Viator, voting needs to be in person. Consequently, Viatorians gathered at the Province Center in Arlington Heights and nearly 20 convened in Bogotá, participating via Zoom, in electing a new Provincial Superior and members of his council.

Fr. Robert M. Egan, CSV, Superior General, oversaw the election, while Fr. Claudio Rios, CSV, Vicar General, oversaw the process in Colombia.

In returning to leadership, Fr. Francis brings a strong background to the role. He first met the Viatorians while attending Saint Viator High School, and he professed his first vows in 1976, five years after graduating. Fr. Francis earned a degree in history from Loyola University in Chicago, followed by his Master’s in Divinity and a Master of Arts in Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He then earned his Doctorate in Liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

“We on the Council pledge to help the province — professed and associates — to always focus on this mission given to us,” Fr. Francis said during the installation service in December, “to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and raise up communities where the faith is lived, deepened and celebrated.”