Letter to M J.F. Preynat Letter to M J.F. Preynat PS047PS047 Booklet p:83Booklet p:83

ONCE UPON A TIME …ONCE UPON A TIME … When I received the letter from When I received the letter from

Champagnat to M.Preynat .Champagnat to M.Preynat . I stayed mute !!! .What can I tell about I stayed mute !!! .What can I tell about

that letter.that letter. After some days of work I discovered the After some days of work I discovered the

sense of the letter of Marcellin for the sense of the letter of Marcellin for the people of his time but I also discovered people of his time but I also discovered the sense in the spirituality ,we share the sense in the spirituality ,we share today .today .

Just a short parable for the Just a short parable for the introduction:introduction:

ONCE UPON A TIME ….ONCE UPON A TIME ….

A thread !!!Where does it come

from?

The cocoon which empties itself to give a thread…

part of its life !..

A variety of colours, but always with the same dominant

Along the time these threads are formed in weaving a single particular material

Even if technology has changed the material is always noticeable!

A long way !!!

OK !!!

A SPIRITUALITY…

OUR SPIRITUALITY…

Letter from ChampagnatLetter from Champagnat

Letters about the school Letters about the school of Sorbiersof Sorbiers

1.1.October 1834: draft PS October 1834: draft PS 047 p:83047 p:83

2.2.12 March1836: 12 March1836: draft .PS073draft .PS073

3.3. 11June 1837:copy PS 11June 1837:copy PS 153153

LETTER FROM LETTER FROM MARCELLIN MARCELLIN

CHAMPAGNAT CHAMPAGNAT To M. JEAN FRANCOIS PREYNATTo M. JEAN FRANCOIS PREYNAT Sorbiers Loire Sorbiers Loire 1834/101834/10PS 047PS 047

SORBIERS SORBIERS

HISTORYHISTORY

SORBIERS IN 1834SORBIERS IN 1834 Rural town Rural town Nearly 1800hNearly 1800h In the department of Loire ( Saint Etienne )In the department of Loire ( Saint Etienne ) Distant of 8kms from Saint Chamond Distant of 8kms from Saint Chamond

(NDH)(NDH) Women and girls are busy by winding silkWomen and girls are busy by winding silk Men by mining and nail making .Men by mining and nail making . People very religious and hardworking People very religious and hardworking

Reading the letter

History of the school of History of the school of Sorbiers Sorbiers

House belonged to Cassien and Arsène House belonged to Cassien and Arsène (1832,became brothers(1832,became brothers

1834 sold to Champagnat.(10000fr)but fictitious1834 sold to Champagnat.(10000fr)but fictitious The town rented the house for the schoolThe town rented the house for the school Became too small and in bad conditions Became too small and in bad conditions 1832-1835:rent not renewed 1832-1835:rent not renewed But we found decisions of the council of the townBut we found decisions of the council of the town (7 /5/1834):200fr for the school and 200fr for the (7 /5/1834):200fr for the school and 200fr for the

construction of a new building promised construction of a new building promised But finally :nothing !!!!But finally :nothing !!!! Champagnat will withdraw the brothers Champagnat will withdraw the brothers

from Sorbiers from Sorbiers

Letter of Letter of Champagnat :WHEN ?Champagnat :WHEN ?

October1834 ,nothing is made for October1834 ,nothing is made for the new construction the new construction

Champagnat wrote this letter when Champagnat wrote this letter when the brothers are in N.D.H.for the brothers are in N.D.H.for vacation before sending them in vacation before sending them in their new assignment their new assignment

ABOUT Mr PREYNAT ABOUT Mr PREYNAT PREYNAT, JEAN-FRANÇOIS-MARIE: PREYNAT, JEAN-FRANÇOIS-MARIE:

(1786-1872), born 13th April 1786 in Saint-(1786-1872), born 13th April 1786 in Saint-Christo-en-Jarret, Loire He is described as a Christo-en-Jarret, Loire He is described as a farmer, in the hamlet of La Choltière in the farmer, in the hamlet of La Choltière in the town of Sorbiers (ADL, 49 M). By prefectorial town of Sorbiers (ADL, 49 M). By prefectorial decree of 16th September 1830, Jean-François decree of 16th September 1830, Jean-François Preynat was appointed mayor of Sorbiers. A Preynat was appointed mayor of Sorbiers. A new decree of 22/9/1831 confirmed him in new decree of 22/9/1831 confirmed him in that office, but two months later, on 11th that office, but two months later, on 11th November, he asked the sub-prefect to find November, he asked the sub-prefect to find someone to replace him (AM, Registre délib.). someone to replace him (AM, Registre délib.). His request was not acted upon, since he re His request was not acted upon, since he re mained in office and was reappointed in 1837. mained in office and was reappointed in 1837.

About M.Preynat About M.Preynat Letters 73 and 153 give us sufficient Letters 73 and 153 give us sufficient

information about his conflicts with the information about his conflicts with the brothers during that period. There is no brothers during that period. There is no evidence that he was hostile to them; he evidence that he was hostile to them; he simply did not know how to deal adroitly simply did not know how to deal adroitly enough with circumstances.enough with circumstances.

He was reappointed to another three-year He was reappointed to another three-year term in 1840,. term in 1840,.

By prefectoral decree of 9th August 1843, By prefectoral decree of 9th August 1843, Mr. Remillieux was appointed to succeed him.Mr. Remillieux was appointed to succeed him.

Mr. Preynat died at home on 22 October 1872 Mr. Preynat died at home on 22 October 1872 ((Reg. décès, n° 58.18.72). (REFERENCES, pp. 430-431)Reg. décès, n° 58.18.72). (REFERENCES, pp. 430-431)

FONDATIONS EN 1834 FONDATIONS EN 1834

11 postulants prennent l'habit religieux. 11 postulants prennent l'habit religieux. 10 Frères émettent privément les vœux 10 Frères émettent privément les vœux

perpétuels. perpétuels. 2 décès. 2 décès. 5 fondations : Lorette (Loire), Sury-5 fondations : Lorette (Loire), Sury-

le·Comtal (Loire), St -Genest-Malifaux le·Comtal (Loire), St -Genest-Malifaux (Loire), Vienne (Isère), Anse (Rhône). (Loire), Vienne (Isère), Anse (Rhône).

Les Frères de St-Paul-Trois-Châteaux Les Frères de St-Paul-Trois-Châteaux fondent deux écoles : Montélier (Drôme) fondent deux écoles : Montélier (Drôme) et Courthézon (Vaucluse). et Courthézon (Vaucluse).

In the statutes of the young In the statutes of the young INSTITUTE (prospectus INSTITUTE (prospectus

1824)1824) (10) Art. 10. Any village which request (10) Art. 10. Any village which request

brothers will give : 1. 400 to be paid brothers will give : 1. 400 to be paid annually for each brother, and travel. annually for each brother, and travel.

2. To provide adequate housing for 2. To provide adequate housing for classes for Housing and brothers and classes for Housing and brothers and all that the use of classes.all that the use of classes.

3. To provide furniture for two 3. To provide furniture for two brothers:1000fr three brothers :1500 brothers:1000fr three brothers :1500 fr and so forth.fr and so forth.

Attitudes of Marcellin Attitudes of Marcellin

Surprise of Marcellin (nothing is made!): Surprise of Marcellin (nothing is made!): »»you have not begun to build another oneyou have not begun to build another one » »

Questionning on other resources: Questionning on other resources: « « I I wouldwould be very pleased to know if you have be very pleased to know if you have some other ressourcessome other ressources » »

Threatening to withdraw the brothers: : Threatening to withdraw the brothers: : «« because they are too small and unhealthy because they are too small and unhealthy »»

Affirms his right for his brothers : « Affirms his right for his brothers : « The brothers cannot under anyThe brothers cannot under any circumstances operate the town circumstances operate the town schoolin their own quartersschoolin their own quarters » »

Put pressure on the mayor : Put pressure on the mayor : »I will»I will informinform a town which has asked for a town which has asked for subjects …subjects … » »

Keep respect for authorities: Keep respect for authorities: «Please Mr Mayor ,do me the honor «Please Mr Mayor ,do me the honor of giving me a prompt reply. »of giving me a prompt reply. »

MENTALITY OF Marcellin MENTALITY OF Marcellin on some matterson some matters

Marcellin is firm to preserve the lives Marcellin is firm to preserve the lives of his brothers. (Salary, health, space, of his brothers. (Salary, health, space, garden…) see the prospectus1824 garden…) see the prospectus1824

Marcellin has many requests on the Marcellin has many requests on the part of prefects for schools. This part of prefects for schools. This allows him to make pressure on the allows him to make pressure on the mayor of Sorbiers mayor of Sorbiers

Marcelin is concerned with money for Marcelin is concerned with money for his brothers and for the mission his brothers and for the mission

Biblical allusion Biblical allusion

Stay in the same house and eat and Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, drink what is offered to you, for the for the laborer deserves hislaborer deserves his paymentpayment.(Luke .(Luke 10,7)10,7)For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay. » (1Thimoty 5,18)

Life of Fr Champagnat Life of Fr Champagnat ( f.jean Baptiste 2( f.jean Baptiste 2nd nd part: part:

chap 9 nth chap 9 nth

From his love for poverty. Father Champagnat practiced poverty all his life. His small

heritage was barely enough to pay his pension in seminaries and to

provide support; so it had nothing when he was ordained a priest.

Poverty economy inthe life Poverty economy inthe life of Marcellin ,of Marcellin ,

A brother who is thrifty and is not unnecessary expenditure, in his modest salary to maintain his house to help the Institute, and to encourage vocations applicants who can not pay; while another brother who is not economical, which does not take care of things, which buys trifles miles, which it could happen, debt his house, the leaves wither and furniture can not even pay its locker room at the Institute (life F Jean Baptist, part 2: love of poverty c. 9)

In the Spirit of our first In the Spirit of our first BeginningsBeginnings

C.49. Father Champagnat formed the C.49. Father Champagnat formed the community of the first Brothers into a real community of the first Brothers into a real family (1). family (1). He shared their life at La Valla He shared their life at La Valla (2) and(2) and atat the Hermitagethe Hermitage,, and he spent and he spent himself on their behalf. "You know," he told himself on their behalf. "You know," he told them, "that I live them, "that I live only for you,only for you, that every that every day I ask God to give you everything day I ask God to give you everything that is that is genuinely good for yougenuinely good for you, and that I would , and that I would give anything, give anything, even at the cost of theeven at the cost of the greatest sacrifices, to procure that for yougreatest sacrifices, to procure that for you."." (3)(3)

Reflects in our present Reflects in our present Marist Marist

The Evangelical Counsel of The Evangelical Counsel of Poverty:following the poor Christ Poverty:following the poor Christ

C. 28.C. 28. Christ, who, although rich, Christ, who, although rich, became poor for love of us (1), urges became poor for love of us (1), urges us to become one with Him in His us to become one with Him in His poverty. He was born in deprivation poverty. He was born in deprivation (2), (2), lived by the work of His handslived by the work of His hands, , announced the good news to the poor announced the good news to the poor (3) and proclaimed them blessed. (3) and proclaimed them blessed.

156. 156. Brothers appointed to administer Brothers appointed to administer the assets of the Institute are the assets of the Institute are administrators, not ownersadministrators, not owners, of the goods , of the goods of the Church. In their management, they of the Church. In their management, they show great concern for the common good, show great concern for the common good, for justice, for povertyfor justice, for poverty and charity, and and charity, and they keep in close touch they keep in close touch with thewith the apostolic ministry of the Brothersapostolic ministry of the Brothers. Their . Their method of management will respect the method of management will respect the Canon Law (1).Canon Law (1).

Texts aboutTexts about the evangelical uses of the evangelical uses of

means means CIRCULAR of Benito CIRCULAR of Benito

concerning our material concerning our material goods (Volume 30)-31 oct goods (Volume 30)-31 oct 20002000

COMMISSION OF THE COMMISSION OF THE EVANGELICAL USES OF THE EVANGELICAL USES OF THE MEANS :persons ,programs, MEANS :persons ,programs, animation.animation.

Two titles of the circular of Benito Two titles of the circular of Benito which reflects the same attitudes which reflects the same attitudes

……

Material goods Material goods in service in service to the lives of the to the lives of the Brothers………….Brothers………….

Material goods Material goods destined destined for mission …..for mission …..

And even in our latest projects with the poor And even in our latest projects with the poor we ought to be very careful.we ought to be very careful. In recent years, a In recent years, a sense of solidarity has given rise to a number of sense of solidarity has given rise to a number of new communities, to provide an ecclesial new communities, to provide an ecclesial presence in marginalized areas and to serve as a presence in marginalized areas and to serve as a mission “ad gentes.” Frequently they lack mission “ad gentes.” Frequently they lack sufficient resources and are supported by their sufficient resources and are supported by their Province. There are two ways of looking at this. Province. There are two ways of looking at this. On the positive side, the Province is showing its On the positive side, the Province is showing its solidarity by redistributing the resources within solidarity by redistributing the resources within the Congregation. On the other hand, such new the Congregation. On the other hand, such new communities may reveal their tenuous existence if communities may reveal their tenuous existence if the Brothers remain unable to support themselves the Brothers remain unable to support themselves by their work. by their work. This reminds me of Father This reminds me of Father Champagnat’s concern when he drew up Champagnat’s concern when he drew up contracts that were reasonable but at the lowest contracts that were reasonable but at the lowest possible cost for the localities involved. We too possible cost for the localities involved. We too will need to be creative in our solutions.( Circular will need to be creative in our solutions.( Circular of Benito )of Benito )

PHRASES THAT IMPACT PHRASES THAT IMPACT MEME

In the text of the letter there In the text of the letter there are no phrases or words are no phrases or words which have impressed which have impressed me .But it’s me .But it’s the spirit ofthe spirit of the the whole letterwhole letter :The care of his :The care of his brothers and of the mission brothers and of the mission of his little instituteof his little institute

About a similar letter of About a similar letter of Champagnart at the same Champagnart at the same

Jean françois Preynat Jean françois Preynat 073 :the end 073 :the end

[04] You know, my [04] You know, my God, whenGod, when I.... You I.... You know.... You know, my God know.... You know, my God You know, You know, Mary You Mary You know….know….

Some reflections ….Some reflections ….

Some historians ad researchers say Some historians ad researchers say that this part of letter might have that this part of letter might have been a song of the old time .A song been a song of the old time .A song that Marcellin knew! .I think it is also that Marcellin knew! .I think it is also a prayer for Marcellin .He faces many a prayer for Marcellin .He faces many material problems and with his trust material problems and with his trust in GOD and his complete confidence in in GOD and his complete confidence in Mary ,he offers to her his problems .Mary ,he offers to her his problems .

As a child goes to his father …As a child goes to his father … As a child goes to his mother …..As a child goes to his mother …..

REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS

Ability to manage money. Marcellin is son of a farmer .

Remember also his ability when he earned 600fr with his small flock and paid his pension at Verrières

For Marcellin money is neccesary for the mission .

No separation between tjustice and sharing .

Where your Where your treasure is, there treasure is, there also is your heart!also is your heart!