B. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Fr. Jean-Claude Courveille

1. LETTER NO. 002 25 MARCH 2008Fr. Champagnat wrote toFr. Jean Claude Courveilleto arrange a meeting with him.1826, late September.This letter is a rough draft, AFM 132.2, P.165; reprinted in OM, 1, doc. 163, pp.411-412.

2. INTRODUCTION This letter shows the concern of Fr. Champagnat with the complete withdrawal of Fr. Courveille from the Hermitage. Hence being his co-purchaser of the properties of La Valla and the Hermitage Champagnat wanted to know the stand of him and settle everything by all means. When we read other sources they reveal that the two met at St. Clair where Fr. Courveille granted to Fr. Champagnat “all rights in property of the Hermitage, without reserve … except the right to live in a room at the said Hermitage when he pleases …with all its furniture he brought” but the one of La Valla both sold it and Father Champagnat later bought the property again.However, Fr. Courveille seems to have really wanted to do something for Mary but he was not well organized. He could not put himself together and be balanced in his undertakings. As a result he ended uphis life in a monastry as Benedictine monk in 1866 at Solesmes.

3. B. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA • Fr. Jean-Claude Courveille • He was born on 15th March 1787 at a place called Usson-en- Forez ,Loire • He was born to Claude Courveille and Marguerite Beynieux. • During revolution, his parents hid the Miraculous Statue of Our Lady of Chambriac in their home. • As a child he used to pray before it. • He contracted smallpox at 10yrs of age which affected his corneas of both eyes as a result he could not study normally. • He lost his father on 26th April 1805. • When he visited the cathedral of Le Puy, he got cured of his eyes illness. • He consecrated himself to Mary,s service. • He tried school at the minor seminary of Verrieres from 1810-1811 then he studied at his uncle, s home, Fr. Mathieu Beynieux who was parish priest of Apinac. • On 15th August 1812 in the Cathedral of Le Puy he acquired a deep certitude that the Blessed Virgin wanted a society bearing her name. • This revelation of Le Puy was the starting point of the history of the Society of Mary. • He studied philosophy and theology at Le Puy major seminary in 1812. • In 1814, he requested dimisssorial latters for tonsure but he did not receive because his Archdiosece reclaimed him. • He entered St. Irenee in 1814 and continued with his studies in theology.

4. In 1814 – 1815 he shared his dream of founding the Society of Mary to some friends like Etiene Declas and others and continued to communicate with them. • Before the end of 1815 – 1816 academic year he made them sign a written commitment. • He received his tonsure, minor orders on 6th April 1816, subdiaconate, the next day, diaconate on 1st July and priesthood on 22nd July the same year. • On 23rd July during his 1st Mass at Fourviere he gave communion to his companions to solidate their commitment. • He was appointed curate of Verrieres in 1816 and he took his mother who died there. • On 20th August 1817, he was transferred to Rive-de-Gier. He stayed in touch with the Colin Brothers in Cerdon and he became co-purchaser with Fr. Champagnat of the brothers first house in La Valla. • He involved the layteachers to become Marist Sisters. • On 24th May 1824 Bishop De Pins authorized Fr. Courveille to join Fr. Champagnat to help him foundations of the Brothers. They became co-owners of the properties of La Valla and the Hermitage. From that joint he called himself the superior general of the Brothers. He gave a rule, drew up a printed prospectus and made negatiations to open a school in Charlieu. • In 1825 he tried brothers to elect him officially as their superior but it was in vain. • In 1825, Champagnat fell ill and Courveille took over the direction of the house. • But the Chancery recognized Fr. Champagnat as the main Founder hence he tried to restrain Fr.Courveille,s enthusiasm. Persona non grata. • After he provoked a canonical visitation by Fr. Cattet. • He committed an immoral act and between 18th and 24th May 1826 he went for a retreat at the Trappist abbey of Aiguebelle. • He left the Archdiocese of Lyons for Belley but there he was not accepted as he thought.

5. He received a celebret from Bishop Bigex in Chambrey and settled in the diocese of Grenoble. • He settled financial matters with Fr. Champagnat at Chavanary. • This time he tried to found group of brothers but it was in vain. • He settled self in Apinac where he owned property but he committed a similar scandal more serious as a result he was hurriedly moved. • He went to the diocese of Bourges in 1829 and was named chaplain of the hospital in Chateauroux. • From 1835 up to 9th July 1836 had several similar scandals of immoral acts hence Bishop Bouvier of Mans gave him a celebret and a letter of recommendation for Solesmes. • He entered the monastry and received the Benedictine habit on 27th August 1836. • He professed on 21st March 1838 and remained there performing various ministries. • He died on 25th September 1866 at Solesmes as a Benedictine Monk.

6. 2. Fr.Etiene Terraillon • He was born on 16th April 1791, to Guillaume Terraillon and Agathe Chirat. • He studied his primary school from 1807 to 1812. • He studied logic at Verrieres and at All Saints 1813. He entered St. Irenee and studied theology for three years. • On 6th January 1814 he received the tonsure, minor orders and subdiaconate and diaconate on 23rd June 1815. • During his last year, Etienne Declas told him about the projected Society of Mary whereby he became one of its first adherents. • He was ordained to priesthood on 22nd July 1816. • On 25th August 1825, he was authorized to join the Marist community at the Hermitage. • In May 1826, he was the one who discovered Fr. Courveille’s transgressions and persuaded him to go to the Trappists. • He was appointed parish priest of Notre Dame in St. Chamond by the archdiocesan Council on 9th April 1828. • In 1832 he was involved in the plans to establish the Marist sisters in St. Chamond. • He was one of the 19 Marists who made their vows on 24th September 1836 and thereafter he was elected as assistant general of the group. • He resigned as a Parish priest of St. Chamond on 20th November 1839. • He made his vows with the 19 other first Marists on 24th September 1836. • He died on 5th November 1869 at Bon-Encontre.

7. 3. Bishop De Pins • He was born on 8th February 1766 • Received minor orders on 21st May 1785 • Ordination the exact date is unknown. But should be before 18th August1789. • He was appointed Vicar General of Castres on 11th July 1795. • As a Bishop of Limoges on 15th February 1822 appointed by the King Louis xviii. • An Archbishop of Amasea and Apostolic Administrator of Lyons from 1824-1839 • He died in 1850. • 4. Fr. Jean Joseph Barou • He was born on 25th October 1772 in Chalmazel, Loire. • He thought of priesthood very early in life and his family background was well-suited for the development of a vocation. • He had a number of clerics on both sides of his family who supported. • He nearly got married but it was cancelled eigtht days before the arranged date. • His uncle, Fr. Barou called him to come and live with him and study philosophy. • He was ordained priest on 9th July 1803 by archbishop d’Aviau of Vienne. • In 1812 all seminarians including Marcellin Champagnat came under the direction of Fr. Barou at Verrieres. • This made Fr. Barou nearly the superior of all the aspiring Marists. • He opened two schools at the Parish of St. Pierre in Montbrison. • He was one of the vicar generals of Lyons responsible for the assignment of personnel. Fr.Champagnat wrote him a letter when he was left alone at the Hermitage. • He died on Holy Thursday, 5th April 1855.

8. 5. Fr. Etiene Seon • He was the one whom Fr. Champagnat proposed that he be the helper of the Hermitage when Fr.Courveille and Fr. Terraillon left him alone. • He was born on 14th April 1803. • He received his vocation at the age of 8 or 9. • In 1821 to 1822, he was in the minor seminary in L’Argentiere his class not known. • He entered St. Irenee at All Saints and studied theology for 3 years. • He received the tonsure on 11th June 1824, minor orders on 23rd July 1825, subdiaconate on 17th December 1825 and diaconate on 20th May 1826. • As he was in the seminary Bishop De Pins refused him to join the Lazarists. Himself also refused to join the diocesan missionaries of Les Chartreux. • He found himself oriented to the Marist project by Fr. Gardette. • He came in contact with Fr. Champagnat in the summer of 1824. • In May 1827, he asked Fr. Champagnat if he could join him which Fr. Champagnat did and obtained him an approval from the Chancery. • He was ordained priest on 9th June 1827. • He joined the Hermitage on 13th June 1827. • He became the in- charge of the ribbon factory from 1827 to 1828. • He served as superior of different houses and died on 18th August 1858.

9. C. SITUATIONS REVEALED BY THE LETTER • 1.Fr. Champagnat wrote this letter while at the Hermitage. • 2.A postulant committed the same scandal of Fr.Courveille and is chased away by Champagnat. • 3 .Fr. Terraillon is not at the Hermitage • 4. Fr. Champagnat has plan to go to Grenoble to see the Bishop. • 5. Bishop De Pin’s Council considered a request of Fr. Champagnat to have a helper. • 6.Fr. Etiene Seon is appointed to assist Fr. Champagnat at the Hermitage • D. ATTITUDES OF MARCELLIN • 1. Peace maker.– Fr. Champagnat wanted to settle down the co-purchasing of the property of the Hermitage and La Valla. • 2. Understanding – Despite the scandal of Fr. Courveille, Fr. Champagnat still welcomes him and ready to talk with him. He beared the hardship caused by Fr. Etienee Terraillon and Fr. Jean-Claude Courveille. • Good sense of Humour – His readiness to meet and talk with Fr. Courveille. • Flexible- Ready to change venue of meeting.

10. E. MENTALITY OF MARCELLIN OVER CERTAIN TOPICS • 1. Humble- He wanted to talk to Fr. Courveille though he scandalized him. • 2. Open – He wrote letters to responsible people telling his situation he was in after • Frs. Terraillon and Courveille departure. • - He chased a postulant who committed the same scandal of Fr. Courveille. • 3. Responsible - He wanted to settle the partnership of the property they purchased together. • 4. Prudent - He corrected immediately the mistake which the postulant did. F. PLACES WHERE THE INTUITION OF HIS LETTER ARE REFLECTED IN OUR PRESENT DOCUMENTS • a. Constitution Articles • 137.3.11; 150.1.8 - disposing of or acquiring property, borrowing, loans • 165 – The stronger members take care of those who are weaker. • 165.1 – The action taken by Champagnat to make things known and clear to those • G. PHRASES THAT IMPACT ME • I would very much like you to come here • Fr. Terraillon is not at the Hermitage • I do not…. . • H. PERSONAL REFLECTION • One has to clear his conscience by initiating opportunities when situations arise. • Here Fr. Champagnat teaches me how to settle matters peaceful with other and to protect the assets of the Congregation all the time.