Brother Dominique (see biographical sketch) who was happy only in places where he was not at the moment (L. 234) must have told Fr. Champagnat that he was coming to the Hermitage to wait until he got a new assignment. The Founder is willing to receive him, but makes no promises. Bro. Dominique will ultimately just go back to Charlieu.

J.M.St.

Notre Dame de lHermitage, 6th March 1834

My very dear Brother Dominique,

I was very glad to receive your letter; it is very well written. I can see, dear friend, that you have been working hard.

I am very pleased that you want to come spend the summer at the motherhouse. I cannot promise you anything, because I do not know if it will be possible. In any case, dear Dominique, always maintain the essential attitude of wanting only what God will be pleased to decide by means of your superiors. You love me, and I can assure you that you are well repaid on that score. Keep your strong desire for a good formation, but without desiring anything except what God wants. In the face of everything that may annoy us, let us always say, May Gods will be done.

I expect you still have a good number of children, and that you are very busy, and that you and the other brothers are well.

Nothing extraordinary in the other establishments. A couple of brothers are sick, but not seriously. Everything is going fairly well. May God and his holy Mother be blessed a thousand times and again a thousand, for that. We are still receiving many novices, and still receiving new requests. We are counting heavily on you for next year. God will help you, I trust.

Give Brother Louis my best; now that his health has returned, he should take care of his own and that of the others. I also love Brother Apollinaire and Brother Nizier. Adieu, I leave you all in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and I have the honor to be, dear Brother Dominique, your devoted father in Jesus and Mary,

Champagnat, superior

Edition: Translation from: Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat (1789-1840) Fondateur de l?Institut des Frères Maristes, présentés par Frère Paul Sester,1985.

fonte: Daprès lexpédition autographe, AFM, 111.11; éditée en CSG I, p. 186