The foundress whom Brother Avit introduced to us in connection with L. 269 died several days after she signed her last will and testament, but in any case before 13th September, as we know from the above-mentioned letter.

The unexpected death of the foundress put [the parish priest] in an awkward situation. She had not set aside anything for the 800-franc subsidy. Fr. Revol asked the old countess for the money and received a curt negative reply. But she did pay the 1000 francs for the personal furnishings, as her daughter had asked her to on her deathbed. The town council voted the subsidy in two yearly payments. (Annales, 214.14, p. 5)

The parish priest must have requested that the subsidy be reduced, and when the Founder refused via this letter, he looked for other solutions.

Father,

It is very upsetting that the benefactress of your establishment did not have the good fortune to see the fulfillment of the pious project of having a religious school in your town, but God, who asked this further sacrifice from her generous soul will certainly reward her for it.

In a few days we will send a brother to visit your establishment.
At the same time, he will buy whatever is most necessary for the arrival of the brothers. We would very much like to be able to offer you the reduction you asked for, since we are not motivated by selfish interests. But, Father, our present needs, the high cost of living, our need to have a uniform and constant procedure for the foundation of our establishments, and many other important reasons, make it impossible for us to permit any reduction.

Please help your good parishioners to accept our reasoning. In their generosity, they will not fail to find the means to meet this small requirement.

Please accept the sincere….

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. 140, nº 176