We have already shown, in connection with L. 257, the difficulties faced by the parish priests of Curis and Albigny in establishing brothers schools in their parishes. Fr. Champagnat offers them a solution in complete conformity with the draft article of the Rule which he had written down in 1836 in one of his notebooks: Although the Marist Brothers do not go less than two together, a central house may be established, from which the brothers will go individually to the nearby towns. They will return home every day if possible, or at least once a week. The Brother Director of the central establishment will visit them every month, and more often if he can (AFM, 132.4, p. 29). Between the towns of Curis and Albigny lies Villevert, separated from Neuville by the Saône River; hence it would be convenient to establish a school in Villevert, which could be attended by the children of Curis and Albigny, and to which the brothers would go from Neuville. Nothing in our archives gives us any information as to the outcome of this project. What does surprise us is that Mr. Tripier, a benefactor of Neuville who lived in Curis, does not seem to have been involved.

Father,

While in Lyons, on my return from Neuville, I had an opportunity to see Fr. Cattet, vicar general, and to speak with him about your establishment in Albigny. He thinks, as I do, that the best thing to do would be to locate it in Villevert, within reach of the two towns of Albigny and Curis. Following his advice, I urge you to combine the resources of these two towns, so that you can have two brothers who, while living in Neuville, would go to teach in Villevert every morning and afternoon. This way there will be a sufficient number of children to occupy both of them and the establishment will be able to maintain itself and prosper. I am going to drop a line about it to the parish priest of Curis, too, following the advice of the Vicar General who very much wants to provide these two parishes in this way with the benefit of Christian and religious instruction.

Please accept, etc….

Champagnat

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. 156, nº 198