Members of the General Council opened their October meeting in Vourles with a sense of reverence and thanksgiving. Within days of the 
announcement from the Vatican of the advancement in the cause for sainthood for Fr. Querbes, the General Council gathered in Fr. Querbes’ chapel at the Berceau to reflect and give thanks.
“We used Fr. Querbes’ chalice and paten,” says Fr. Robert M. Egan, Superior General. “It was a Mass of thanksgiving for recognizing Fr. Querbes as venerable, and it offered us the opportunity to join in his continued cause.”
Fr. Egan added that he awaits the official decree from the Congregation for the Cause of Saints, and will publish it as soon as he receives it.
The Mass opened their October meeting during which several agenda items were discussed.
- Fr. Egan and Fr. Claude Roy, Vicar General, reported back about their Oct. 8 meeting in Rome with Archbishop José Carballo, Secretary for the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. Together, they presented the work of the General Council on the amendment to Article 5 of the Constitution. The Congregation will send a formal response to the General Direction and they will publish it as soon as it is received.
- The General Council also approved calendar dates for the upcoming election of provincials. They approved Dec. 14 for the election in France, and Jan. 18 for the election in Spain.
- The General Council continued discussions on the 2018 General Chapter questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 relating to Viatorian consecrated life. They renewed a call for ongoing reflection on our life as religious and they encourage continued reflection and discussion at the local levels.
- Finally, the General Council continued to research and examine possible sites for the 2024 General Chapter. No final decisions have been made, but they hope to finalize plans by the end of the year.