22 January, memorial of Br François

First Superior of the Marist Institute

When Marcellin died on 6 June 1840, Br François decided to be “the living image of the Founder” and asked the Brothers to relive him in their own lives as well.

For 20 years he was Superior General of the Marist Brothers. He inherited from Marcellin a congregation of 280 members and handed it over to Brother Louis Marie, his successor, with more than two thousand brothers. From 1860 he was at the Hermitage, the Marist sanctuary built by Marcellin. Superior of the house, he was for all a model of prayer and interior life.

On 22 January 1881, he died on his knees while reciting the Angelus. The whole neighbourhood said: “The saint is dead”.

Find out more about Brother François at this link.