Since we do not have Fr. Darnonds letter we do not know what it said which so interests Fr. Champagnat, because the desire to make that city a regional center can not be the only reason. No doubt there is also the priests insistence; on 30th September 1841, he will write, I have been asking for six years now; I am losing heart.... His desire will be satisfied in 1842.

Father,

I gathered the older brothers of our house and explained to them the reason for your trip and your pleas to have brothers this year, because of the circumstances in which you find yourself. We have examined everything carefully and tried to see if there were some way to grant your request.

An establishment in St-Pierre-de-Boeuf would be to our advantage since it would centralize those we already have around it, and we would very much like to send our brothers to a town where the ecclesiastical and civil authorities work together to promote this good work, but in view of the establishments to which we have already committed ourselves, and the number of available subjects, it would be impossible for us to promise you anyone for next All Saints.

Please accept my regrets and believe the total devotedness with which I have the honor to be, 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, pp. 123-124, nº 146