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“The study of the letters is to know the heart of the founder.” Bro. Aureliano

“The study of the letters is to know the heart of the founder.” Bro. Aureliano. PS 061. To Fr. Theophile Marhles, Loire 1835-07-12 Original: AFM, 111.15 Booklet, pages 95-96. Situation…. The letter is a reply written by Fr. Champagnat to Br. Thèophile.

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“The study of the letters is to know the heart of the founder.” Bro. Aureliano

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  1. “The study of the letters is to know the heart of the founder.” Bro. Aureliano

  2. PS 061 • To Fr. Theophile • Marhles, Loire • 1835-07-12 • Original: AFM, 111.15 • Booklet, pages 95-96

  3. Situation… • The letter is a reply written by Fr. Champagnat to Br. Thèophile. • Br. Thèophile was working in the school in Marles. The school in Marles was the second school started by Fr. Champagnat. It is worthy reading what Jean Baptist says about it “ The school at La Valla was a success. Some of the parish priests anxious to secure such teachers for their schools put their requests to Fr. Champagnat. Amongst them, Fr. Allirot parish priest of Marles, claimed the right to be first served. The house which Fr. Allirot bought to lodge them was small and unhealthy, with water sweeping everywhere. Br. Louis was appointed Director and opened the house in 1819.”

  4. Situation… • The house of the Bros. that was bad enough became worse very soon. It is said,” When Marcellin visited his Bros. he was so struck by their painful situation that he decided to remove them. Fr. Champagnat told Fr. Allirot, “ The house is in such a deplorable condition that I could not in conscience leave Brothers or children” But the school was restarted in 1833 with a new parish priest It is to this school Thèophile is sent to start his first ministry.( Life P.81 ) • Thèphile might have gone to Marles towards the end of 1834 or early 1835 after having studied for awhile at the Hermitage,” because neither his age nor his trade as a tailor had prepared him for teaching.” ( Biography. P.478 ) By this time he must have been around 27 years of age.

  5. Situation… • Fr. Champagnat writes his reply on 12th. July in 1835.It is very likely that Thèophile writes to Fr. Champagnat soon after coming or a few months after being in Marles in 1835. • Theèphile finds it difficult to accept a young person called Perret and the former is anxious and uneasy about it and writes to Fr. Champagnat. • Who is Perret whom Br. Thèophile mentions in his letter? Is he a young man from Marles or a pupil of the school in Marles? It is not known. • Fr. Champagnat says in his letter,” I assure you I would gladly receive him, let us wait a bit.” In fact, Fr. Champagnat keeps to his word and accepts Perret to the Congregation in 1838.He becomes a Marist Brother by the name Cyr. But he leaves the Brothers a few years later. Neither his date of birth nor the year he left is not known

  6. Supplementary… • Thèophile was born in 1808 on 14th.Sep 1808 in Longehenal,Isère, Department of Loire. According to records he receives the habit in 1833 on 14th.June and becomes a novice. Very probably he may have made his First vows in the same year. There is no mention of it in the records. It is recorded that he made his Perpetual vows on 12th. October in 1834. • Thèophile had been a tailor prior to entering Religious Life. • The letter also speaks of a young Brother by the name Sylvestre. We have already heard about Sylvester - very colorful character.

  7. More about Bro. Theophile… • His biography says, that he spent 1835 – 36 school in Viriville before returning to Hermitage to serve as a tailor. • Fr. Champagnat opened a Novitiate in Vauban on 5th Dec.1839. Fr. Champagnat sent him to the Novitiate with Br. Cassien. Br. Cassien was the Director.Br. Avit writes about Br. Thèphile. “ It was there that he began to have epileptic fits; he had to leave that house six months later in May 1840 and go to a community in Usson for few days of rest. • Thèophile had been in many communities, always to be transferred after a few years. He too had the honor of founder- member of a school in St Marcellin in1858. Br. Avit remarks,” Br. Thèophile had no certificate of competence and did the cooking. His associate ( Br. Eugeien ) was the official teacher of the school and a paying one…..Br. Thèophile was an excellent religious but then he had very little health left. He was withdrawn at the end of the year and Br. Eugeien took over as the Director.

  8. More about Theophile… • The certificate of competence which. Avit speaks of is an important education law that was passed on 28th. June in 1833. It was called,”The Guizot law.” ( Booklet P.184) • Once he wrote to Br. Superior( 1838 ) Among many other things he said,” What makes me most apprehensive is the kitchen, because of the fire of which I am terribly afraid especially during the very hot weather.” (Biography, 478 ) • He was always commended as a good religious, very devoted to his work. Over the years the schools were developing and the standard of instructions was improving. Thèophile could not cope up with the progress made in the schools and fit into classroom work Therefore, as a teacher he was not successful. But as a religious he persevered till the end.

  9. More about Theophile… • In 1877 he retires permanently to Hermitage and died on 24th.Sep.1884. • The life and work of Br. Thèophile is thus summarized, “ He went to reap the reward of a life which humanly speaking was rather unusual, full of humble tasks for which he was hardly prepared – among which the function of a director only increased his humiliations – continually on the move without settling in any place, changing community twenty one times in forty three years , keeping all the while, it seems a peaceful soul and a heart overflowing quiet love of his God” ( Biography, Page 478 )

  10. Attitudes… • Fr. Champagnat is very friendly and affectionate, for he writes, “My very Dear Bro. Thèophile.” • Very encouraging when he says,” Courage, dear friend.” • Very loving, “ Dear friend, tell Bro. Silvestre how much I love him” • Affirming “ let us act as we are totally sure of success….” • Gratitude. “ I am infinitely grateful to him for all he is doing in Marles….” • Ever willing and prepared to support the Bros. particularly those in difficulties. • Paternal Attitude, concern and care. Constitutions Article 49 • “In their turn the Brothers loved him as their father.” • Ability to make people at home

  11. Mentality… • Fr. Champagnat is very much control of himself. He is not carried away by what Thèphile says. He is cautious and careful. • He seems to possess the capacity to understand men and matters and weigh them carefully and accordingly. • He is tactful, for he says,” I like Perret…..” Fr. Champagnat does not find fault with Perret or he is not too quick to admonish him. • Fr. Champagnat is very human. At the same time he is very spiritual. • He understands well the psychological needs of a person.

  12. Biblical allusions… • Lk. 1; 30 “ ……….do not be afraid……” • Mt. 6: 25 – 34 Trust in Divine Providence. Final verse. “…..So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.” • Gal: 6: 2 “Carry each others burdens; that is how to keep the law of Christ.”

  13. Constitutions…. • Constitutions: Article 04 : The echoing of the Marist Motto, “ All to Jesus through Mary, and all to Mary for Jesus.” • Constitutions: Article 51 : “ We accept one another different in many ways, yet complementary……………..a tactful way of helping him.” • Constitutions: Article 49 : “ You know,” he told them, “that my every breath is for you; and that there is no genuine happiness which I do not ask God for you everyday, and which I would not be willing to win for you at the cost of the greatest sacrifice.” • Spiritual Testament of the Founder: “ There aredifficulties in leading the life a good Religious, but grace makes all things easy.” • Water from the Rock: Landmarks of the development of our Spirituality. “Marceline was gifted with a profound relationship with JESUS and MARY. Our spirituality began with this gift.”(P 15 ) • Chapter 15 LIFE Part Two entitled, “ Father Champagnat’s love for his Bros. and his attachment to them abounds in expressions of love and terms of friendship. Let me just quote one, “ A mother has no greater tenderness for her children, than he had for us.”

  14. Phrases… • “ Courage dear friend, everything will improve with time----“ • “ let us act as if we were sure of total success, and give all the honor to Jesus and Mary”

  15. Reflections… • Fr. Champagnat has the ability and the quality to win the hearts and confidence of the young Bros. • Like Fr. Champagnat many Superior Generals Councilor Generals wrote many personal letters to Bros. who had difficulties in their vocations. These letters not only encouraged the Bros. but helped them to persevere in their vocations. • Affection that Fr. Champagnat showered on his Bros. was the corner stone and the foundation of the FAMILY SPIRIT in the Congregation. The same spirit has kept the Congregation moving with the currents of the time. • Founder was a very busy person. In spite of it he found the time to write personal letters. • Thèphile was uneasy of Perret. He was a prospective candidate. Am I sufficiently open to welcome young men to my communities? • Do I have the attitude and mentality of Fr. Champagnat?

  16. The End… • Thank you!!!

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