As this letter states, it was written immediately after the preceding one, no doubt the same day. Actually, Fr. Berthier was no longer parish priest of La Côte-Saint-André, since he had been named vicar general the preceding 30th November. Perhaps he had not yet left his parish for good, since according to Bro. Louis-Maries letter of 29th December, he was about to leave for Grenoble, but not definitively. Moreover, it does not appear as though his successor, Fr. Antoine Mollin, had yet been installed. In any case, the wording of this letter definitely refers to Fr. Berthier, who had shared in the founding of this establishment.

Father and most worthy Parish Priest,

Remembering how much you shared in the founding of our establishment in La Côte-Saint-André, I believe it is only fitting that I inform you of a decision which Fr. Douillet has forced us to make. Since he left the seminary, he has lived, as you no doubt know, with our brothers. Needing a maid to serve him, he made her econome of the house, which is totally contrary to our rules and customs.

Fr. Douillet would not budge an inch in the face of the justified protests of the brother director, or mine either. I also have in hand a letter from Fr. Douillet, who, in letting me know his intentions towards us, proves to me that he is trying to win over
our subjects. We cannot leave our brothers in that situation any longer. Since I can see no other way to remedy this evil, I have decided to withdraw our brothers. I have just so informed His Lordship of Grenoble and Fr. Douillet.

I intend to come to La Côte during the early part of next week.

Please accept the assurance of the high esteem and devotion with which I have the honor to be, Father and worthy parish priest, your most humble and respectful servant….

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 la minute AFM, RCLA, 1, pp. 31-32 nº 17, éditée partiellement dans AAA p. 209