22. Getting Organized

Once the aspiring Marist priests had elected Jean-Claude Colin as Central Superior, they set about getting themselves organized. At Colin’s urging, those in the Archdiocese of Lyon gathered at the Hermitage to elect a provincial Superior to have authority over the men there while remaining subject to the Central Superior. They chose Marcellin Champagnat. The diocesan authorities, not wanting to acknowledge this action on the part of these priests who were still diocesan priests, yet recognizing the wisdom of the choice, appointed Champagnat to the office to which he had been elected.

One of the Marist aspirants, Fr. Séon, was appointed by the diocesan authorities to be

curate (assistant priest) in the parish of Valbenoîte, near the city of St. Etienne. The pastor, a Fr. Rouchon, then offered the Marists the old priory in which he lived, so long as they would always supply him with curates. Thus, in November 1832, a community of Marist priests was established at Valbenoîte. Fr. Séon was now elected Superior of the Marist priests in the Archdiocese of Lyon. This included those at Valbenoîte, Fr. Champagnat as well as the priest assisting him at the Hermitage, and Fr. Pompallier, who lived in his own house in Lyon and was chaplain to the boarding school of La Favorite. This school was founded by a group of fervent laymen who wished to be associated with the Society of Mary. They called themselves the Tertiary Brothers of Mary, and wished to live vowed religious life but in a hidden way in the world: something like what is today called a Secular Institute.

Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Belley, the Marist group also acquired a house: bishop

Devie gave them an old Capuchin Friary, called La Capucinière, to be their residence and base of operations for their missions in the Bugey Mountains. Thus, also in November 1832, three priests and five brothers moved into La Capucinière. These brothers were men interested in religious life and wanting to serve with their manual skills. They were called Joseph Brothers to distinguish them from Champagnat’s brothers, whom he called the Little Brothers of Mary, and whose ministry was teaching. (While the Little Brothers of Mary eventually became a distinct religious congregation, the Marist Brothers of the Schools, the Joseph Brothers remained with the priests as Coadjutor Brothers who assist in our ministries in various ways. That is why we call ourselves the “Marist Fathers and Brothers.”).

One of Fr. Colin’s primary concerns was to maintain unity between the groups in Lyon

and Belley. One important way of doing this was by holding common retreats. Thus, in 1831, eighteen Marist aspirants gathered in Belley for a retreat. Not all eighteen would persevere to become Marist religious, but among the group were three who would play

Prayer for Vocations to the Society of Mary (Marists)

Lord Jesus You gave the Church St Peter Chanel as an example to Marists and the people of Oceania of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, to work as Priests, Brothers and Sisters. Help us too, to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in Mission for the good of your Church and our world. This prayer we make to the Father in your name and through the Holy Spirit. Amen Mary Mother of the Church and our mother, choose more young people to follow Jesus your Son in religious life and priesthood and to bear your name as members of your Society.

(Please pray this prayer often.)

significant roles in Society of Mary history: Fr. Claude Bret, Fr. Pierre Chanel, and Fr. Denis-Joseph Maîtrepierre.

With all of these internal organizational tasks completed, and with ever more people

wanting to join the Marists, Fr. Colin could finally turn his attention to getting the Society of Mary approved by the Church. For this he would have to journey to Rome to present the Marist project to the Holy Father himself. To be continued…

Life-size bronze statue of St Marcellin Champagnat outside Parramatta Marist High School sculptor Linda Klarfeld.