We already know (cf. L. 13) that the brothers in Charlieu has held their classes first in the abbey, then from 1829 to 1838 in one of the seminary buildings, until they had to vacate it and return to the abbey. According to Bro. Avit (AA, pp 277-278), Mr. Guinault, the new mayor...had just moved the brothers classrooms and kitchen next to the secondary school, in a building which had only one storey...and planned to add another storey the following year to serve as the brothers residence. Meanwhile, the three teachers were sleeping in the city hall in the middle of town. At the time of this letter, all of this is still only a plan which the mayor has submitted to Fr. Champagnat. The latter is satisfied with it, especially if the idea of building a new residence for the brothers above the classrooms is carried out, since he no doubt hopes to put an end finally to all the problems the brothers have encountered in that city. But above and beyond that, the Founder is even more touched by the towns efforts to allow poor children (cf. L. 219) to receive religious instruction.

Mister Mayor,

The protection you are so willing to give our brothers who are established in the city of Charlieu fills us with the deepest gratitude. Various unpleasant circumstances would obviously have disturbed them in their work if they had not found a refuge in your wise administration.

We hope that the Lord will ultimately bless the efforts you are making to provide religious instruction for the poor children who would have been deprived of it because of the indifference of most of their parents.

We accept the new house you have set aside for the school, and the rooms in the city hall which you are ceding to the brothers, to which they can retire after their classes.

Our Brother Visitor has written us that for the coming year, you were planning to put up the building which will house the school, and that then there would be only one single building for the brothers. If it were possible for you to carry out such a carefully conceived plan for the date you propose, the brothers and even the whole society would be infinitely grateful to you.

Accept the respectful and sincere devotedness with which we have the honor to be, Mister Mayor….

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. 128, nº 155, éditée dans AAA p. 278