Following Champanat

(Statue of St. Marcellin Champagnat in the Church in Marhles / his parish Church growing up.)

(Frs. Ron and Bruce and Br. Leonard outside a section of Marcellin's family home.)

What a day! Like the other pilgrimages it was long, but good. We encountered wonderful hospitality from the Marist Brothers in both Rosey, where Marcellin was born, and in LaValla, where Marcellin Champagnat was first assigned as a new priest. In both places we were able to see and feel the love that these men have for their founder. Naturally, we also visited The Hermitage which is a place dear to the Brothers. Marcellin bought this property and they (the brothers with Marcellin under the direction of trained masons) built the
ir new home when they quickly outgrew LaValla.



(The Hermitage under renovation)



The property is beautiful and the buildings are impressive. It's under a great deal of renovation now so it's covered with scaffolding, but it is still very impressive to think that this was built by the labor of young Marist brothers (some of whom were in their early teens!!).

What was clear to me today was the purpose that Marcellin felt and transmitted to his community. Sharing Christ with young people, and helping them to understand the faith was their driving force. They felt an urgency to the mission. It's a shame that we don't feel that same urgency in our time. If we did, perhaps we would be more passionate about our faith and our mission.


The last thing we did at the Hermitage was take some time in the Chapel praying before the reliquary of St. Marcellin Champagnat's remains. I think I can safely say that the whole renewal group was moved in those moments of silent prayer. St. Marcellin pray for us, and inspire others to take up the work of Mary as Brothers, Sisters, and Priests!


It's hard to believe that it's been ten years since Pope John Paul II Canonized Marcellin -- what a great day that was for the Marist Brothers and for the whole Marist Family.


(The renewal group is seated 'around' a dining room table built by Marcellin Champagnat and used by the original community of brothers.)