According to Bro. Avit (Annales de St-Julien, AFM, 213.85, p. 16), The parish priest, whose name escapes us [it was Fr. Besson], was a good priest, but quite elderly [he was 78]. He was greatly helped by Fr. Celle, one of his curates, who wrote to the venerated Fr. Champagnat on 4th August 1838:

Father,

We have finally managed to find sufficient funding to open an establishment where the boys will be instructed, and all the poor ones free of charge; we have for that purpose a house in the town center, large enough but in need of repairs; before starting on them, we wanted to check with you to see if you could give us two of your brothers to instruct our youngsters, and under what conditions. Your brothers succeed very well everywhere, but I am convinced that they will succeed in St-Julien as well as anywhere else, because of our desire to have our young people educated. If you can grant our desires, you would be doing our parish a great favor.

The holy Founder accepted the place in view of the vocations he expected to find there, and under the conditions which prevailed at that time.... Ex-brother Andéol and Brother Aleaume went to take over the post at All Saints.

In point of fact, as can be readily seen, he was talking about All Saints 1839, not 1838 as Bro. Avit seems to imply. The brothers lost no time in obtaining the title of town teachers, which saved the parish priest 200 francs of their salary, which the town was obliged to pay town teachers according to the law of 1833.

Father,

I am writing quickly to reassure you about the assignment of two brothers to the parish of St-Julien-Molhesabate. All that we still have to do is inform the ecclesiastical and civil authorities as soon as possible , so that we do nothing without having their explicit agreement.

There is however one minor inconvenience you will have to see to. All our brothers with certificates are already assigned. I can give you only some of those who are preparing for it for March. Their legal recognition will be held up for several months, but I imagine you will be able to deal with that. In any case, they will be capable, or at least they will be ready to present themselves for the next examinations. Please let us know as soon as possible if that condition is acceptable.

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. 136, nº 173