LETTER PS028

TO MONSEIGNEUR ALEXANDRE RAYMOND DEVIE, Bishop of BELLY, Ain;

Date : 1833-07 Response to request for taking over a

school or model farms

INTRODUCTION

Bishop Devie requested Fr. Champagnat to take over one of the schools or model farms which he wanted to start in Bresse. Fr. Champagnat after reaching an agreement with the bishop (Devie) , on sending Brothers to the school in Bresse, had further reflection over it and base on the advice of Fr. Gardette appealed for delay for several months.

SITUATIONS REVEALEAD BY THE LETTER

The request made by Bishop Devie to Fr. Champagnat to take over one of the schools or model farms in Bresse. The difficulties of removing the Brother suitable for that place because of several changes had already in the year.

Fr. Champagnat requested for delay from the Bishop in order to give suitable person for the project.

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA OF PEOPLE MENTIONED

Bishop Alexandare Raymond Devie(1767-1852) He was born on 23rd January, 1767, in Monte’limar, Dròme. He studied Philosophy in 1783 at the seminary in Viviers. He studied theology in Bourg-Saint-Andeol after two years of his philosophy. After obtaining his M.A., his bishop quickly named him professor of

philosophy at the on 31st July 1787. He was ordained subdeacon on 23rd March 1790 and then deacon on 20th May by Bishop De Savines. Since Bishop De Savines took the oath to the constitution, Devie had to find another “non –juring” Bishop to ordain him to the priesthood and that Bishop was Fallot de Beaupre of Vaison, who ordained him in Valresmin October 1791.

In January 1812, he became professor of moral theology and the rector of seminary in Viviers.

On 31st May 1813, Bishop Becherel of Valence appointed him the first vicar general and the rector of the major seminary in Valence. On 31st January 1823, the king appointed him Bishop of Belley. He was approved on 10th March and ordained by Bishop Frayssinous on 15th June in the chaple of Issy-les-Moulineaux in paris. He made his solemn entry into Belly on 23rd July {AEBelley, register des ordonnances, pp.9-10; J. Coste, OM, IV, PP. 267-272}.

He died on 25th July 1852, after several months’ illness at the age of 83.

CATHEDARL OF BELLEY MUNICIPAL OF MEXIMIEUX

FR. GARDETTE PHILIBERT (1765-1848)

He was born on 7th May, 1765 in the hamlet of Villeneuve in the parish of Saint-Romain-d’Urfè(Loire).

His father was Joseph François Gardette, a farmer and land owner. His mother was Catherine Bassey. He did his preliminary studies in Saint- Romain under Fr. Coudour

Annet, then his humanities and rhetoric at the secondary school in Thiers from 1782 -1784.

His Philosophy at St- Irènèe in 1784-1786. After a year of theology with the Oratorians (1786-1787), he was

appointed in 1787, professor of philosophy in the seminary of Clermont- Ferrand.

He was ordained a priest on 9th April 1791. He was a priest of Archdiocese of Lyon. Fr. Gardette was a supporter, an excellent counsellor and an

experienced director (Ref. vol.2 p.248).

FR. CHOLLETON (1788-1852)

He was born on 18th June 1788 in Saint- Marcel-de Fèlines, Loire. His father was Jacques Cholleton, a farmer and landowner. His mother was Jeanne Dubreuil. He did his secondary school education in Saint-Jodard. He entered the seminary of Saint-Irènèe on All Saints Day, 1806. He was ordained a priest on 21st December 1811. He was a Professor of Moral theology in the seminary. In 1815-1816, he protected and directed the group of Marist

aspirants. He was the third vicar general of Lyons. He was asked by Fr. Champagnat to bless the cornerstone of the

Hermitage in May 1824(Ref. vol. 2. p. 121). Fr. Cholleton died at Puylata on 9th February 1852.

PLACES MENTIONED

Meximieux The seat of a district in the

arrondissement of Trevoux in the department of the Ain.

Had nearly two thousand inhabitants in 1832.

In 1802, Claude Joseph Ruivet founded a minor seminary there, where several Marist aspirants studied.

MAP FOR REFERENCE{ FRANCE}

ATTITUDES OF MARCELLIN

Appreciative “I am more and more attracted to this good work, which upon close examination,

does not dirverge from my aim”.   Sensitive “It would be extremely difficult for me to remove the Brother I want to give you from

a very large school, which has already had several changes this year”.   Very Organise Fr. Champagnat did not want to jeopardise the progress of the school.   Good Listener “On my way back from Belley, I spoke with Fr. Gardette about the establishment I

was about to open, he suggested that I wait until Fr. Cholleton arrived and also mentioned that August and September are unhealthy months in that part of the country”.

   

Persuasive “I humbly ask you to agree to this slight delay, which will make it possible for

me to give you suitable subjects”.   Hope “I very much like Fr. Colin’s idea of a Third Order. I think that your Lordship

envisages it, it will succeed”.   Trust “I do not believe that Fr. Cholleton will raise any objection to these

arrangements”.   Openness   He gives reasons why he cannot send the Brother he promised the Bishop. He equally makes his programme known.

MENTALITY OF MARCELLIN IN SOME MATTERS

Preferential treatment for the poor Fr. Champagnat shows that he is very

concern about the poor and the marginalised.

He shows his desire for success. He is determine to give his best to the

Bishop and to the Church. He takes into consideration, the feelings of

his Brothers. Fr. Champagnat indicates interest about the

spiritual aspect of the Brothers. He reveals his intentions of founding the congregation.

BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS

“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me (Matthew 25:40)”.

The Beatitudes{ Matthew 5:1-5} “Ask the Master of the harvest to send

out laboures for His harvest{Mtt. 9:38}”

“Your light must shine before others{Mtt.5.16} 

IN MARIST DOCUMENTS

PLACES WHERE THE INTUITIONS OF THIS LETTER ARE REFLECTED IN OUR PRESENT MARIST DOCUMENTS (CONSTITUTIONS).

“Open to any apostolate that is in harmony with its founding charism...{ Const. 85}” 

“In submission to the father, Christ came to serve, by similar submission; we learn to be of service to our Brothers (constitutions, p.44)”.

Christ, who although, rich became poor for love of us urges us to become one with Him in His poverty{ Const. 28}.

Spiritual poverty keeps us in a relationship of total dependence on the Father{ Const. 31}.

PHRASES THAT IMPACT ON ME

“I am more and more attracted to this good work.

“It is primarily concerned with the education of the poor”.

“I humbly ask you to agree to this slight delay”.

“I know that the parish priest relies heavily on this Brother”.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

It is interesting to note that Fr. Champagnat takes time before he makes decision. It shows that in as much as we Marist Brothers are all teachers, we have different talents and areas we are better of than another. Therefore, if we do not fix a Brother in place of area he can be more productive, he might fail in the area of his apostolate, which will have an adverse effect to the Brother, Institute, and the church. Fr. Champagnat’s ability to write the bishop informing him about the situation on the ground is also commendable.

Fr. Champagnat reminds me in this letter, the importance of meditation and reflection. He reflects on the problem it might have caused the school in removing the Brother from the school that have already had several changes within a year and decided to exercise patient in order to grant bishop’s request.

I am sure that the bishop, though, very enthusiastic to receive the Brothers, after reading Champagnat’s letter must have felt satisfied because Fr. Champagnat wants the best for him, the diocese and the church.

 BY, Bro. Iwu Elias.o