After the Founders reply to Fr. Debelay, parish priest of Nantua (cf. L. 189), the latter, according to Br. Avit (Annales de Nantua, p. 10), discussed his problem with his bishop. Bishop Devie wrote a second time to Fr. Champagnat on 4th January 1839:

I am writing, dear Father, to join my entreaties to those of [Fr. Debelay], parish priest of Nantua, to obtain an establishment of your brothers in his parish, if that be possible. Like you, I know it is necessary to make a choice for such an important place, but I also realize how advantageous that location would be for your establishment.

I do not know how things stand for your brothers, but if nothing happens, I advise you to make the trip to Paris and to submit the statutes of Fr. de La Mennais; you will get through more quickly and more surely. I advise the trip because you will see things for yourself and you will be less exposed to further obstacles....

The Founders answer follows:

My Lord,

I strongly desire to cooperate to the best of my ability with Your Grandeurs zeal for the good of your fine diocese and to show you more and more how grateful I am for your benevolence toward our Society.

The establishment in Nantua which Your Grandeur wanted to recommend to us presents difficulties which it would be almost impossible for us to overcome at present, unless the parish priest were willing to found a free school. The city of Nantua has several teachers who no doubt enjoy the consideration and esteem of a certain number of its inhabitants. The civil authorities are not speaking out in favor of a brothers establishment. To maintain the competition we would need subjects which we do not have at present, and even then success would be uncertain, as experience has taught us. None the less, there is nothing which we are not ready to undertake to show Your Grandeur our gratitude and devotedness. If the parish priest of Nantua can fulfill our request, we will be glad to send our brothers to carry out their functions in that city under Your Grandeurs auspices and in the shadow of your powerful protection.

I am very grateful, My Lord, for Your Grandeurs solicitude and zeal for the authorization of our brothers. I hope to have very shortly a meeting in Lyons with Fr. Colin, our superior, about the new steps we should take under the present circumstances to remove the obstacles which block the prompt and satisfactory outcome of this important matter.

Please accept, etc…

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, p. 121, nº 141