A misunderstanding has arisen between the Founder and the Bishop of Autun. The latter had suggested sending an additional brother to Semur to take care of the postulants, in view of the impending opening of the novitiate in Vauban. In his letter of the preceding 21st January (L. 240), the Founder told him that he would adopt that solution, but that he would wait for the bishop to give him some indication as to when he should send the brother. That detail, however, slipped past the bishop, who, seeing that Fr. Champagnat was not doing anything, wrote to Fr. Colin. Fr. Champagnat replies that he has not changed his mind, but has been waiting for orders. Since none were forthcoming, and since he has learned in the meantime that there had been an accident in the brothers building in Semur, he had presumed that the project had been postponed, for lack of space. Not only that, but if the damage is not repaired promptly, he will be obliged to withdraw the brothers, who would then be available to the bishop to begin work in Vauban immediately.

My Lord,

The Father Superior General of our Society just forwarded to me a request which Your Grandeur sent him recently concerning the château of Vauban. After carefully rereading our letter of 7th January 1839, Nº 137, and that of the 21st, Nº 139, in reply to the letters you so graciously sent us, I have the honor to assure Your Grandeur that we are still of the same mind. We still intend, come All Saints 1840, to send one more subject to Semur, at the very first indication you wish to give us. We thought that the residence in Semur had been found to be unsuitable, since that is where matters rested. What strengthened that impression for us was the news we just received that part of the brothers residence had collapsed. I will be forced to withdraw them from that town until a house ad hoc can be obtained. If Your Grandeur wanted to begin in Vauban, the brothers of Semur would be at your disposition immediately.

I am delighted to have this renewed opportunity to present to Your Grandeur my respectful homage and to give you the assurance of the perfect and sincere devotedness with which I have the honor to be….

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. 127, nº 153