Brother Avit, in the Annales de Vauban, p. 5, wrote: On 3rd April, the local authorities informed Fr. Champagnat that they had just received the appointment of Bro. Cassien to the town school in Vauban. Since his commitments prevent him from teaching, they added, please send us a good teacher. The following letter is the Founders answer.

Mister Mayor,

I intended to bring you myself the reply to the official letter which you did me the honor to write me under date of 3rd April, but I can see today that I must forego that idea. My illness makes it impossible for me to make that journey.

I am very grateful for the good dispositions and the estimable goodwill of your worthy council towards our brothers establishment. It will be a reason for me to do all I can to fulfill your wishes and provide you with a good school. I will try to find you a subjet who is capable and in a position to make this good work succeed.

I would not be inclined to open this class for the moment. This is the time of year when work in the rural areas calls most of the children into the fields. Consequently there would be a very small number of them, and it would be much more difficult to begin properly. You can give your comments on that matter to Brother Visitor who has to go to Vauban during the first fortnight of next month, but I believe that after you have thought about it, you will see things as I do.

Please accept, 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, pp. 183-184, nº 229