Only when answering a letter does the Founder announce the arrival of various articles which had been ordered; as we can readily understand, he did not have the time to take care of the personal material needs of each brother. We can also see that if the Hermitage was the command post, it was also the commissariat to which the brothers could write to obtain certain articles or have various things forwarded.

J.M.J.

Notre Dame de lHermitage, 4th November 1834

My very dear Brother Antoine,

Brother Hippolyte picked up your package and wants to include something which he will send to Sept-Chemins during the latter part of the week.

My dear friend, I am very conscious of the different misfortunes that some of you have had. I grant what you asked for with regard to your communions.

Tell Brother Moïse that we are thinking of him: he will be receiving a brand new work-shirt within a few days. Tell him also that I love him with all my heart, and that God will reward him a hundredfold.

To Jesus and Mary.

Champagnat.

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, 111.12