After receiving the reply of the previous month (L. 270) which showed real interest in the diocese of Bordeaux, Fr. Deschal is not afraid to become insistent. But circumstances have not changed since then, so this reply can not be any different, even though it would appear that the Founder has tried to see if there were any chance to make at least some effort in that direction. Virelade will have the same experience as Verdelais in the same diocese (cf. L. 249): the Marist Brothers never did open a school there.

Father,

Despite all our good will, we are obliged to hold to what we said in the last letter we sent you. It is impossible for us, for the moment, to specify a time when we will be able to give you some of our brothers. The great number of requests which we have to fill before yours, will use up the number of subjects we receive for the next several years. Let us hope, none the less, that Providence will multiply them according to our needs. It is really very painful for us not to be able to contribute immediately to your zeal for the instruction of your dear children.

Please accept….

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. 141, nº 179