After their exchange of letters in March (cf. L. 97), Fr. Page had no doubt visited Fr. Champagnat. He must have gone to the Hermitage after Easter 1837, as he announced in his letter. On that occasion, since the projected construction was not progressing as planned (it would still not be finished in 1840; cf.
L. 316), he must have agreed that the request of the bishop be filled first, since the latter was at that time planning the establishment of the novitiate in Vauban (cf. the introduction to L. 208). But after two years, during which time Fr. Page has postponed the definitive hiring of layteachers because he prefers the brothers, and the normal school of Macon has been pressuring him to accept some of its students in Digoin (cf. his letter of 23rd May 1840, in his biographical sketch), he feels that the establishment of the brothers must not be put off any longer. Thanks to the steps he takes and his entreaties, he will carry the day in 1841.

Father,

With all my heart I would like to give you an answer in keeping with your wishes, but since you had already postponed your request indefinitely in favor of another parish, we did not anticipate fulfilling it so soon. We cannot multiply our promises for this year, since we have already made commitments according to the number of our subjects who will be available. We have been offered several completely endowed establishments and we are being urgently requested to occupy them as soon as possible. You can well understand, Father, that such establishments always deserve preference: they are less of a burden, and there is much more good to be done when the instruction is free. Despite our strong desire to satisfy you, we find ourselves obliged to postpone the foundation of your school to a later date. Perhaps this delay will not be totally disadvantageous to you, for putting everything on a good footing.

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. 129, nº 157