The Society Of Mary.xml
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7/8/2021
https://dev.lb.marist.edu/archives/writtenHistory/chapterI/societyOfMary.htm
https://dev.lb.marist.edu/archives/writtenHistory/chapterI/societyOfMary.htm
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The Society Of Mary
The Society of Mary, as we have stated was founded as a congregation of priests in 1816 at the seminary at
Lyons. Initial steps to obtain canonical approbation from Rome was begun by Father Jean Colin in 1822.
Fourteen years later in the Brief "Omnium gentium" Pope Gregory XVI sanctioned the Society and confided to
their ministry the missionary territory of Polynesia. The Fathers had already grouped together at Notre Dame de
1'Hermitage with Father Champagnat and at Belley with Father Colin Gathered in the latter place, they elected
Father Colin the Superior General of the Marist priests, Marist Brothers.(17.) With certainty was this an
illustrious group of priests, including Venerable Jean Colin, Blessed Mercellin Champagnat and St Peter Chanel,
who made their first profession following the election.(18.)
The brothers were an integral part of the Society. Father Champagnat had direct responsibility for them although
he had always hoped that the Superior General of the Marist fathers would assume this duty. But Father Colin
thought otherwise. In fact eight months before Father Champagnat died, the Superior General persuaded him to
allow the brothers to rule themselves. This point of view was later endorsed by the Holy See;; which directed
furthermore that the brothers elect their Superior General from among themselves. To this end Father Colin
convoked a general chapter of professed brothers. He presided at this meeting, at which Brother Francois was
elected superior with the title of Director General.(19.)
This election was providential, for Father Champagnat's health had declined rapidly. Shortly before he died on
June 6, 1810 he entrusted his spiritual testament and apostolic mandate to educate (the youth of) the world, to
the two hundred and eighty brothers in his little congregation.(20.) One hundred and eighty of these were
teaching in forty-eight schools, with a total enrollment of seven thousand students. Forty-nine other brothershad
preceded the holy founder in death. He was buried among them in the community cemetery at Notre Dame de
l'Hermitage.
The heroic life of Marcellin Champagnat was recognized not only by the members of the two congregations he
helped to found, and by the local clergy, but also b the Holy See. His cause of beatification was introduced in
Rome in 1886.(21.) Ten years later Pope Leo XIII decreed him Venerable. In 1955 the late Pope Pius XII
presided at the ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica which proclaimed the holy founder Blessed. His cause for
canonization is under study at present. It is believed that this process will conclude in a few years, at which time
the founder of the Marist Brothers will be declared a saint.
https://dev.lb.marist.edu/archives/writtenHistory/chapterI/societyOfMary.htm
https://dev.lb.marist.edu/archives/writtenHistory/chapterI/societyOfMary.htm
1/1
The Society Of Mary
The Society of Mary, as we have stated was founded as a congregation of priests in 1816 at the seminary at
Lyons. Initial steps to obtain canonical approbation from Rome was begun by Father Jean Colin in 1822.
Fourteen years later in the Brief "Omnium gentium" Pope Gregory XVI sanctioned the Society and confided to
their ministry the missionary territory of Polynesia. The Fathers had already grouped together at Notre Dame de
1'Hermitage with Father Champagnat and at Belley with Father Colin Gathered in the latter place, they elected
Father Colin the Superior General of the Marist priests, Marist Brothers.(17.) With certainty was this an
illustrious group of priests, including Venerable Jean Colin, Blessed Mercellin Champagnat and St Peter Chanel,
who made their first profession following the election.(18.)
The brothers were an integral part of the Society. Father Champagnat had direct responsibility for them although
he had always hoped that the Superior General of the Marist fathers would assume this duty. But Father Colin
thought otherwise. In fact eight months before Father Champagnat died, the Superior General persuaded him to
allow the brothers to rule themselves. This point of view was later endorsed by the Holy See;; which directed
furthermore that the brothers elect their Superior General from among themselves. To this end Father Colin
convoked a general chapter of professed brothers. He presided at this meeting, at which Brother Francois was
elected superior with the title of Director General.(19.)
This election was providential, for Father Champagnat's health had declined rapidly. Shortly before he died on
June 6, 1810 he entrusted his spiritual testament and apostolic mandate to educate (the youth of) the world, to
the two hundred and eighty brothers in his little congregation.(20.) One hundred and eighty of these were
teaching in forty-eight schools, with a total enrollment of seven thousand students. Forty-nine other brothershad
preceded the holy founder in death. He was buried among them in the community cemetery at Notre Dame de
l'Hermitage.
The heroic life of Marcellin Champagnat was recognized not only by the members of the two congregations he
helped to found, and by the local clergy, but also b the Holy See. His cause of beatification was introduced in
Rome in 1886.(21.) Ten years later Pope Leo XIII decreed him Venerable. In 1955 the late Pope Pius XII
presided at the ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica which proclaimed the holy founder Blessed. His cause for
canonization is under study at present. It is believed that this process will conclude in a few years, at which time
the founder of the Marist Brothers will be declared a saint.