When Fr. Champagnat wrote to a brother director, he always mentioned his community. He did not have time to write to each brother, but he asked that his message be transmitted. Likewise, he never failed to give some news about the congregation, thus maintaining a real family spirit among the brothers.

9th January 1835

My very dear Brother Antoine,

I was very touched by your New Years wishes. I know they are very sincere and I can assure you that those I made for everyone, and for you in particular, are also very genuine.

I was very sorry to learn of Brother Moïses illness. Take good care of him so that he will recover quickly. I do not think I will replace him unless he asks me to. Let him place his trust in God, who will help him to do his duty. Mary, our common Mother, will lend him a hand. Tell him that I empathize with all his difficulties and that I am grateful to him for everything he is doing. God is setting aside a good reward for him.

Everything is going along normally at the motherhouse and elsewhere. No one is sick, thank God. The two new establishments have many children. We have sent a fourth brother to Sury.

We are still getting many novices. We gave the holy habit to a score of them on the feast of the Epiphany; there are still fifteen who do not have it yet; all of them seem very devoted. We have received another request for three brothers to open a sort of foster-home in the city of Lyons; we are really con-
cerned, since we dont know where we are going to find subjects for it.

Pray for us that we may not do anything against Gods will.

I leave you in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, where I found you,

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, 111.14,