Not only rural parishes but also those in the cities write to Fr. Champagnat, who almost invariably has to give them the same answer. The requests are certainly varied: some parish priests ask for brothers only after everything is ready for the opening of the school; others, as is the case here, make their request at the outset, to find out if it will be possible to get brothers, and under what conditions. In such cases the delay is less annoying, since it provides time for preparing to receive them. In spite of that, however, Tournus would never be counted among our establishments.

Father,

I willingly join your esteemed bishop in applauding the pious project you have undertaken, to set up an establishment of brothers in your parish. I would very much like to fill right away the request you made in your letter of the third of this month, but the commitments we made to a number of towns a long time ago will not permit us to further your desires for the moment. This delay will perhaps give you the means to find a suitable building for your school, since it is against our custom for the brothers to live at the presbytery.

The salary for two brothers is set at an annual sum of one thousand francs. If you could bring your town council to participate in this work, things would go much better. With the resources you mentioned, and the ordinary salary from the towns, you could have three brothers.

I have the honor to be, Father, etc….

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. 182, nº 227