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Letter of Marcellin Champagnat to Queen Marie- Amelie May 1835 PS 059

Letter of Marcellin Champagnat to Queen Marie- Amelie May 1835 PS 059. Related letters.

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Letter of Marcellin Champagnat to Queen Marie- Amelie May 1835 PS 059

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  1. Letter of MarcellinChampagnat to Queen Marie-AmelieMay 1835 PS 059

  2. Related letters • Reply from Mr. François Guizot, Minister of Public Instruction. Ministry of Public Instruction, Copy Nº 29139, to Father Champagnat, Superior of the Brothers of Mary, at N.D. de l'Hermitage, near St-Chamond (Loire); 1835-09-04 • Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat to Monseigneur Alexandre Raymond Devie, Evêque de Belley, Ain; 1836-12; PS 075; Copy: RCLA, p. 12 nº XIII; published in: AAA p. 195

  3. Related letters • Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat to Sa Majesté Louis-Philippe, Roi des Français; Paris; 1834-01-28; PS 034A-B; Copia AFM 113.4; Original: in the Archives Nacionaux de París f.17 dossier Petits Frères de Marie; copy: AFM, RCLA, 1, p. 1, nº 1; published in: CSG, I, p. 182 y en AAA, p. 140 • Letter of Marcellin to Fr Mazelier 8.5.1836 • PS 065

  4. Situations revealed by the letter • 1. Marcellin is writing to the Queen to ask her to speak to the King in favour of the approval of the Statutes of the Society. • 2. He had written to the King on 28.1.1834 requesting authorization of the Society. This was granted by the Royal Council on 28.2.1834. Here Marcellin is seeking the Queen’s help in having the ordinance approved by the King. • 3. The Queen passes his letter on to the Minister of Public Instruction. (Parliament is responsible not the King)

  5. Situations revealed by the letter • 4. 1835. Le Vén. Champagnat envoie quatre de ses Frères à Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux. • Il reprend les démarches pour l'autorisation légale, afin d'obtenir l'ordonnance royale pour la dispense du service militaire. (Chronologie)

  6. From the beginning of 1834 Champagnat started to gather additional support for the authorisation of his Brothers by enlisting the support of the Prefect of the Loire, who wanted to present the required document personally to the government. Subsequently, the Statutes of the congregation and an official request to the King were forwarded to the Prefect, who sent them to Paris. On 28 February 1834 the Royal Council of Public Instruction approved the Statutes, but the Royal Ordinance was not granted. Guizot, the powerful Minister, was a religious man who bore a high concept of education and of Catholic religious life, especially that of the Sisters, but, like contemporary politicians, he was not well disposed towards congregations of religious men (other than the De La Salle Brothers) devoted to the work of education. [page 133]Guizot gave no reason for the refusal, nor was he obliged to do so. It is quite clear that the government of the period contained a very strong and influential anti-clerical group, bitterly opposed to “le parti-prêtre”, a name given to those in public life under the influence of the clergy since the days of the Bourbons. Champagnat thus suffered for the political sins of past generations of clergymen. (Fm McMahon, p 133)

  7. Fr Mazelier • An agreement was reached between Champagnat and Mazelier in May 1835, the same month in which Champagnat wrote to Queen Marie-Amélie, asking her to persuade the King to grant the authorisation approved by the Royal Council but blocked by Guizot.

  8. Attempts at authorisation • 1816 – Guillard’s report • “For legal authorisation from the state it was probably Bochard who blocked the way; for Church acknowledgement it was certainly Bochard.” • McMahon, Travellers in Hope, p.37 • 1824 – submission from De Pins office – bungled • Did Champagnat insist on keeping vows? • 1828 – De Pins attempt –anti-clericalism • 1830 – De Pins 3rd attempt – Council of State favourable – Charles X overthrown.

  9. The people involved: 1 • Maria Amalia Teresa of the Two Sicilies (26th April 1782 - 24th March 1866) was Queen of the French from 1830-1848, consort to King Louis Phillipe. • She was born at Caserta, the daughter of Ferdinand 1st of the Two Sicilies (1751-1825) and his • wife, Marie Caroline of Austria • (1752-1814), who was the favorite sister • of Marie Antoinette.

  10. Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

  11. Kings of the Two Sicilies, 1816-1861 • 1816-1825: Ferdinand I • 1825-1830: Francis I • 1830-1859: Ferdinand II • 1859-1861: Francis II • In 1860-1861 the kingdom was conquered by the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the title dropped. It is still claimed by the head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. • Other people of the House of Two Sicilies include: • Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies, Queen of the French (1782-1866) • Maria Christina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Queen of Spain (1806-1878) • Teresa of the Two Sicilies, Empress of Brazil (1822-1889)

  12. The people involved: 2 GUIZOT, FRANÇOIS PIERRE GUILLAUME: (1787-1874), Born October 4th, 1787 Died September 12th, 1874 Political party None Professor of Modern History Prime Minister

  13. François Pierre Guillaume Guizot (October 4th , 1787 - September 12th 1874) was a French Historian, orator and statesman. Guizot was a dominant figure in French politics prior to the Revolution of 1848, actively opposing as a liberal the reactionary King Charles X before his overthrow in the July Revolution of 1830, then in government service to the "citizen king" Louis Phillipe, as the Minister of Education, 1832 –1837, ambassador to London, Foreign Minister 1840-1847, and finally Prime Minister of France from September 19th to February 23rd, 1848.

  14. Guizot • “..an honest protestant” • Mr. Guizot, “would have asked nothing better than to do for secondary education what he had already done for primary education, since he believed that freedom would be the best solution for all parties. ‘There was only one good solution,’ he wrote in his memoirs, ‘the total renunciation of government control in the area of public education, and to accept openly, with all its conse­quences, free competition between the State and its rivals, whether lay or ecclesiastical, whether individuals or organizations’ (Guizot, Mémoi­res, vol. III, p. 105). • “Following his principles, in 1836 he presented the draft text of a law which, by imposing only a few conditions concerning degrees and certificates for the heads of scholastic establishments, and by giving the administration only the simple right of inspection, would have given sufficient freedom of action to the rivals of the university. The Chamber’s acceptance of an amendment proposed by deputy Vatout, which obliged the head of an establishment to swear that he did not belong to an unauthorized congregation, wrecked the whole project” (Boulanger, Histoire général de l’Eglise, pp. 137-138). • Mr. Guizot did not try to repair the damage, all the more so, because the collapse of the govern­ment in April 1837 set him aside for three years, since the four cabinets which succeeded one another during that period did not request his services. • (References p. 15-16

  15. Guizot • "Among the laity you will find those impulses of generosity and bursts of praiseworthy enthusiasm which are responsible for the rapid and significant progress of some important undertaking that has public support; but only the spirit of faith and Christian charity bring to such a task that total lack of self-interest, that taste for the practice of sacrifice, that humble perseverance which guarantees its success and keeps it unsullied. For this reason, I took great care to defend religious organisations devoted to primary school teaching against the prejudice and bad will directed at them. “ Memoires of M. Guizot (S. Farrell,AFD p.203)

  16. Letter of M. Champagnat to Monseigneur Alexandre Raymond Devie, Evêque de Belley, Ain; 1836-12; PS 075 • To obtain our authorization we drew up the statutes below which we sent to Paris on 28th February 1834 with a letter to the king containing an historical sketch of the foundation of our institute. In May 1835 we also wrote to the queen, who replied that our documents were in the hands of the minister. The main cause of the delay we are facing is, I think, that Mr. Guizot, being a Protestant, is not pleased to see an association totally dedicated to Mary. This is certainly a copyist’s error: cf. his letter to the king, L 34 (28.1.34)

  17. Guizot • It should be noted that the rejection of Marcellin’s request for authorization was a consequence of the principles espoused by the government which emerged in France from the July revolution. That Government was essentially hostile to religious Congregations, especially those engaged in teaching. The law of 1833, relating to primary education, was expressly designed to control them, to subject them to the University, to sap their influence, halt their progress and in the end, remove them imperceptibly from the field of education. JB. Life p182

  18. Bishop Devie • Bishop of Belley (new diocese) 13.1.1823 • “He very quickly became acquanted with Marcellin Champagnat, because schools as well as religious congregations were a high priority in his plans for his diocese. But it was mainly during the decade from 1830-40 that our founder and the bishop of Belley were in direct contact. ” Ref. P. 184 • Visited the Hermitage during the retreat of 1832 • Later falls out with the Founder. (v. Ref. Pp 184-6)

  19. The politics • 1829 Guizot - Council of State • August 1829 resigns • Jan 1830 – Guizot - deputy for Lisieux, Calvados • 31st July – Louis Philippe replaces Charles X • Guizot - Commissioner for Interior • Aug-Nov 1830 Guizot – Minister for Interior • 1831 – out of cabinet • 1832 – Guizot - Minister of Public Instruction

  20. Politics • 1833 – Guizot law (Br Jean Baptiste’s comment) • 1836 – out of Government • Sept 1836 – Minister of Public Instruction • Draft law – amended by Vatout • 1837 out of Government

  21. Guizot law • Guizot's influence was critical in expanding public education, which under his ministry saw the creation of primary schools in every French commune. (Wiki) • Guizot's law of 1833 obliged every commune to maintain a public school, but it did not mandate that such education be either free or compulsory, ... • Despite the Guizot's Law charge for every commune of five hundred inhabitants to establish a school, elementary schools were lacking in many areas of France because finding teachers and schools remained the responsibility of local governments.

  22. Guizot’s law • “It was now prescribed that free primary school education must be made available everywhere in France; i.e. In each of the ...37,000 communes....each Commune must have a primary school in which all the teachers must have their “brevet” – unless they were brothers or sisters belonging to a religious organisation which had legal authorisation to teach.” • (AFD, Farrell, p. 159)

  23. Guizot’s law • “The Guizot law of 1833 also stated that the Principal in any primary school, whether public or religious, should have the “Brevet”.... • All “Brevet”s must now be obtained from the University • Previous “Brevet”s not obtained from the University would not be recognised. • (AFD, Farrell, p.160)

  24. Conscription • 18th April 1831: royal ordinance • “...non authorised teachers in religious schools would be conscripted for military service.” • (AFD, Farrell, p. 152)

  25. Antagonism in Loire • 1831 General Council of the Loire • New Secretary: Scipion Mourge: “(The Marist Brothers Institute) is all the less worthy of encouragement in that it is publicly known that the subjects who come out of it are of a deplorable ignorance and rather serve the more to guarantee a waste of time for the children than to set them on the way to commonplace knowledge.” • (Farrell, p. 153) • (Session de 1831 No 6, Au Conseil General, de Scipion Mourges, Prefet de La Loire)

  26. Antagonism in Loire • M. Mandon, Mayor of Feurs backed Mutual Method and the council (with two exceptions) supported him • Refuses to accept a reduction from 1200 to 400 francs • “...cannot be weighed against a teaching method very much more expeditious” • (Farrell, p. 153) • See Minute of Meeting of Town • Council 23.3.1831 Champagnat • Through his Correspondence, CEPAM, p. 54

  27. Let’s read the letter

  28. The “gifts” of the letter • 1. Marial devotion • Confidence in Mary • May devotions • 2. Marcellin’s description of his vision • Education of young people • Difficulties they face – experience • Teaching brothers for rural towns • Serve the poor • Marial name

  29. Gifts • 3. Marcellin’s summary of the present situation • 140 members • 80 teaching • Many requests • Training of subjects • 4. Marcellin’s character • Confidence in Mary • Organised business-like • Clear vision • Self-confident, Self-aware

  30. Attitudes of Marcellin • Devotion to Mary • Respect but not subservience • “Great Queen” • Awareness of history of Marial devotion in France • “Your great devotion to Mary, the royal devotedness of your ancestors to the Mother of God...” • Confident • “all fill me with great confidence” • Businesslike • “our statutes are enclosed”

  31. Marcellin’s attitudes • Intelligent, succinct, rational, • “By authorising us, the government will facilitate our growth remarkably; religious and society will both profit thereby.” • Accepts feminine intelligence • Self-aware • “Please excuse the self-assurance which leads me to your majesty’s feet...”

  32. Marcellin’s attitudes • Acceptance of Protestant difficulty with Mary • The main cause of the delay we are facing is, I think, that Mr. Guizot, being a Protestant, is not pleased to see an association totally dedicated to Mary. • (From the letter to Bishop Devie, Dec 1836 (PS 075)

  33. Mentality of Marcellin • 1. Marcellin is a man of his times • Ancien Regime is past • Rational argument will be effective (Age of Reason) • Realist – not everyone will support me 2. Marcellin believes in the logic of what he is doing Rational people will be convinced Confidence in his vision 3. He is organised and business-like

  34. Mentality of Marcellin • Believes in the intelligence and goodness of people. • Respect for people of both sexes Self-aware and confident Accepts difference without rancour

  35. Phrases that impact • “Great Queen” • Title applied to Elizabeth and other Queens historically • Possible allusion to Mary (Salve Regina, 1830) • Post-Revolutionary dispensing with titles? • King Luis-Philippe - revolutionary army • Refers to Queen as Your Majesty in ending? “ Seigneur pour les innombrables bénéfices reçus au cours de ce millénaire par l'intercession de la "Magna Domina Hungarorum", la grande Reine des Hongrois. » (Pope John Paul II Celebration of the Millenium of Hungary.)

  36. Phrases that impact • “to approve by ordinance the authorisation which his council was willing to grant to the Society of Marist Brothers, by approving their statutes, as contained in the General Manual of Primary Instruction, No 6, for the month of April, 1834” • Confident and business-like • “Your great devotion to Mary, the royal devotedness of your ancestors, to the Mother of God, the beginning of this month consecrated to honouring her, all fill me with confidence.” Marial devotion, confidence in Mary

  37. Phrases that impact • “By authorising us, the government will facilitate our growth remarkably; religious and society will both profit greatly thereby.” • Logical argument “Please excuse the self-assurance which leads me...” self-confident and self-aware

  38. Personal reflections • 1. What kind of a man was Guizot? • “honest protestant” • University trained academic seeking to raise the standards of education • Not personally rabidly opposed to the Church • A survivor balancing opposing forces • Champagnat’s view • Br Jean Baptiste’s view

  39. Personal reflections • 2. Champagnat – business-like, organised, confident in his vision, self-assured/self-aware. • We have seen Champagnat “in turmoil” (PS 030) • 3. What was the source of his confidence? • Papal authorisation of Society of Mary does not occur until 11.3.1836 • Council of State has approved statutes, April 1834 • Support of Bishop de Pins • Many requests for brothers • Guizot has not yet rejected authorisation

  40. Personal reflections • Fr Mazelier visited the Hermitage in May 1835? • Marcellin’s letter to Mazelier 8.5.1836 • But: “...contacts increased after 1835, but they had certainly begun before that. However, we do not believe one could push them further back than the last quarter of 1834 or even the beginning of 1835..” (Ref. p. 388) • Did Marcellin have an inkling of a solution? • The arrival of Fr Matricon (left Marlhes on 29th July 1833 • (According to Br Avit, did not move into the Hermitage until 1835)

  41. Personal reflections • His health has improved • Bought new property at the Hermitage 1.1.1835 • Expansion, increased numbers

  42. Personal reflections • Le CONSEIL ROYAL approuve les Statuts de la Congrégation, mais l'ordonnance n'est pas accordée. • Plusieurs députations de Communes viennent à l'Hermitage solliciter des Frères pour leurs Ecoles. • Songe du Vén. Champagnat. (Hommes moitié Frères, moitié soldats.) • Onze Postulants revêtent l'habit religieux. • Dix Frères font les vœux privés. •   (Chronologie, 1917 entry for 1834)

  43. Personal reflections • Le P. Champagnat a un songe où il voit une armée d'hom­mes habillés moitié Frères, moitié soldats, qui détachent des pierres de1a maison pour les lancer aux jeunes Frères. Il confie ce songe au F. Jean-Baptiste et l'invite à y réfléchir. Ils voient tous deux dans l'interprétation de ce songe, les Frères directeurs mon­dains et irréguliers qui laissent la porte ouverte aux abus. (Avit, 94-95)

  44. Personal Reflections • Fondation des Ecoles de LORETTE, SURY-LE-COMTAL, SAINT-GENEST-MALIFAUX (Loire), VIENNE (Isère), ANSE ,el, CHATEAUNEUF-D'ISÈRE (Drôme), MONTELIER (Drôme), COURTHÉZON (Vaucluse). • Circulaire du 10 août : Vacances. Prières pour le voyage à Rome du Vén. Colin. • (Chronologie de 1917 entry for 1834)

  45. Constitutions • No 2 • It made him sensitive to the needs of his times, especially to the ignorance concerning religion among young people and the poor circumstances in which they were placed. • It was this attitude that led him to found our Institute for the Christian education of the young, especially those most in need (3).

  46. Constitutions • Marial Spirit • 4. In giving us Mary's name, Father Champagnat wished us to live her spirit. He was convinced that it was she who has done everything for us, and he called her our Ordinary Resource and our First Superior (1).

  47. Constitutions • 5. We willingly put our lives and our talents at the service of the Church and of the world, doing good quietly. • 74.2 We celebrate the month of May in community. If possible, we do so with the pupils or with other members of the faithful. (Life 356; R 1837, IV, 11) • “Good Christians and good citizens”

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