As he had said in his letter to the curate of St-
Julien-Molhesabate (L. 279), the Founder no longer opened schools without the approval of the authorities. Since he was about to send brothers to Craponne (cf. LL. 271 and 290), and did not want to make the trip to Le Puy himself, he explained the matter to the prefect in writing, before sending a Brother Assistant to meet him when he went to Craponne. The letter bears no other date but the month of October. But the word Assistant situates it after the election of the 12th (cf. Chronologie, p. 83). We may also presume that it was this letter which led the prefect to convoke the town council of Craponne by means of a circular of 18th October, as is noted in the minutes of that meeting (cf. L. 290, note 2). Finally, it must be linked to the preceding letter, which announces it, and bears a specific date. So we can pretty well date this one the 15th or even the 14th.

Mister Prefect,

I was going to go to Le Puy to submit the request which the city of Craponne had sent us, to have some of our brothers, but a fairly serious illness, together with a multiplicity of matters involved with our assignments, makes it impossible for me to carry out that project.

As I learned from the parish priest of Craponne that you will be in that city on the 22nd of this month, I am rushing to send our Brother Assistant there to obtain your approval and to meet with the municipal authority of that place regarding this establishment. I told the parish priest of Craponne that it was our decision, in keeping with our inflexible custom, to act only in concert with the civil authorities and with their previous consent. We would like the parish priest to have the school building guaranteed by the town and we have strongly urged him to do so.

I also take advantage of the present circumstances to submit to you as well the request we received from the town of St-Julien-Molhesabate. If you are willing, Mr. Prefect, please give your approval, and our brothers will consider themselves fortunate to work at primary instruction in the department of the Haute-Loire under your esteemed auspices. As for myself, I shall hasten to take every opportunity to show you the profound respect and entire dedication 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, pp. 140-141, nº 177