As usual, the Founder sends a circular to the brothers to announce the date for the vacations and to call them all to the motherhouse for retreat. Since no one can be sure of returning to the same house, everything has to be put in order. For the first time, the Brothers Director are asked to draw up the history of their respective houses (Chronologie, p. 79). According to Bro. Avit (AA, pp. 254-255) this circular was lithographed by Bro. Marie-Jubin. We have three copies of it: the first is the one sent to the brothers in Semur, with a postscript added by some secretary; this is the one we are reproducing here. The second was sent to the brothers in St-Didier-sur-Rochefort, and the third bears no addresss, since the second sheet has been detached.

21st August 1838

My very dear brothers,

Our vacation, as in previous years, begins on 28th September. Come to the motherhouse as soon as possible, to be at the annual retreat, which as you know, begins on one of the first days of October.

How happy I am to announce the end of, or rather, a bit of respite from, your demanding task. Come, all of you, to be reunited and warmed in the sanctuary which witnessed your becoming children of the most loving of Mothers. It will fill us with the sweetest joy to see you renewing yourselves in one and the same spirit and telling Mary that you all want to live and die under her patronage, after having faithfully kept the promise you solemnly gave her. It is in union with Jesus and Mary that my heart, pouring itself out affectionately, tells you, my very dear brothers, how much I love you.

We ask the brothers directors:
1º Not to begin the vacations before 26th September;
2º Not to leave any accounts unsettled;
3º To read Chapter X of the Rule, and to carry out its prescriptions;
4º To compose a brief historical report about the establishment, mentioning the noteworthy events of the year: 1. The number of children who attended school, winter and summer; 2. Visits by inspectors or any other persons in authority, etc.

Yours in the Sacred Hearts,

Champagnat
Superior

We forgot to put the watch for Tissier from Digoin into the trunk. When they come to see you, tell them that the brothers who return to Semur after the vacation will see that they get it. Let them know that we did not find their trunk , which must have gone to Roanne.