In the annals of this school, Bro. Avit describes it thus:

Mr. Dorzat, having been assured that he would have brothers at vacation time that same year (1827), bought a little house on the town square (today it is a café), had it suitably repaired to house the brothers and the children: the latter would occupy the ground floor, which was divided into two classrooms which were clean enough, but very small, unhealthy, and poorly lighted. The location was not suitable for a school because of the noise from the markets, fairs and public celebrations, which was far from conducive to the recollection needed by religious teachers and for classroom discipline. However, proximity to the church made it very attractive. (p. 2)

As for the progress of the school:

From 1827 to 1830, it prospered. It had 130 students, who were giddy and rebellious, on whom it was necessary to use the cane. It also had seven directors during the first seven years. Moreover, the parish priest limited the brothers program, and wanted only prayers, catechism, reading, writing and a little arithmetic. In the third place, 1830 went to the heads of the citizens of St-Symphorien, and the town council was replaced. These three factors brought on a fatal crisis for the brothers school. (p.4)

The school picked up again around 1850. According to these same annals, Fr. Champagnat, wanting to see how his two brothers were doing,

...arrived unannounced one evening, and wanted to share their skimpy supper. They managed to add an omelet, and, a rare extra, a bottle of wine someone had given them.... The next day he visited the classes and found the children talkative, undisciplined and insolent. One of them, when he saw Father, yelled, Hey, look at the big priest! (p.5)



Since Bro. Avit does not give us a date, we cannot tell if this letter was written before or after the visit in question. In any case, it was certainly written in the context of a similar situation.

Dear Father,

We do not believe there is anything we can do to improve your school until it changes buildings. Its location facing the town square is too unpleasant for our brothers; several have lost their vocation there, and no one wants to go there. In fact they are in the middle of the crowd, so to speak, and consequently witnesses to many scandals. The children can not be properly cared for among so many incentives to dissipation. To put this school on a good footing would require a building where we can accept some boarders, away from all the noise, so that supervision will be easier. Temporarily, this could even be a rented house. Then we will do everything which may be in our power to see to it that your establishment remains on a good footing and becomes one of our most flourishing ones.

Being very aware of your problems and your concern for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, we join you in the unity of the one Spirit, asking you to accept the expression of respect and devotion with which we will always be, Father, your most humble and most obedient servants,

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 I; p. 49; nº 46