12. Appealing to the

Sometimes discouragement leads to determination and commitment. By 1819, the Marist aspirants were getting nowhere in their efforts to found the Society of Mary. The diocesan authorities blocked their efforts, especially for the priests’ branch of the Society. What diocese would want a significant number of its priests to be free to leave the diocese to minister elsewhere? The only solution for the Marists was to seek approval on a higher level, to appeal to , to the , to the Pope!

Although Jean-Claude Colin was filled with a lively confidence that the Marist project was the work of God and that it would succeed, nevertheless, the discouragements weighed heavily on him, especially since it was becoming clear that he would have to take some initiatives to realize the project.

A first attempt was made to contact Rome through a priest of the diocese who had contacts in Rome. But this effort got nowhere. There was no reply from Rome. At that point, two things happened. Jeanne-Marie Chavoin told Jean-Claude Colin that he should consider himself as entrusted by God with leading the Society of Mary in all its branches. And Bigex of the diocese of Pinerolo, to whom the Marists had written for advice, urged them to write directly to the Pope. It was probably at this time that Colin, knowing how reluctant he was to put himself forward and how easily he might hesitate or hold back, bound himself by a private vow to work to bring the Marist project, in all its branches, to Rome.

So, in late November 1819, a letter was drafted, probably by Colin, and sent to Rome. We do not have a copy of the letter, and no reply came from Rome. Again, in January 1822, a letter to the Pope was drafted, signed by Jean-Claude Courveille, who was still the official leader of the project, and the Colin brothers. In it they mention the two previous attempts to contact that had gone unanswered, and they repeat what must have been in the letter of 1819: “The purpose of the Society of Mary is to expend everything for the greater glory of God, for the honor of Mary the Mother of God and for the service of the Roman Church. To work for the of their own souls and those of their neighbor through missions to believers and unbelievers in whatever part of the world the might wish to send us; to catechize the uneducated and ignorant; to train youth in every way to knowledge and virtue; to visit those in prison and the sick in hospitals; such are our projects as they are set out for us in constitutions already composed.”

This time they received an answer from Pope Pius VII, dated February 9, 1822. The Pope commends the work, but says further negotiations should be taken up with his

Nuncio (ambassador) in Paris.

Apparently the Colin brothers were able to convince Courveille that the younger Colin would be the best suited to approach the Nuncio. Thus November 1822 saw Jean-Claude Colin bumping along in a stagecoach on the dirt and gravel roads that led to Paris.

To be continued… This statue of the Blessed Mary stands in the grounds of another of the Bugey parishes missioned by Fr. Colin’s unfailing passion was to do the ‘work of Mary.’

Pope Pius VII head of the Church and ruler of the 1800- 1823

Prayer for Vocations to the Society of Mary (Marists)

Lord Jesus You gave the Church St Peter Chanel as an example to Marists and the people of Oceania of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, to work as Priests, Brothers and Sisters. Help us too, to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in Mission for the good of your Church and our world. This prayer we make to the Father in your name and through the Holy Spirit. Amen

Mary Mother of the Church and our mother, choose more young people to follow Jesus your Son in religious life and priesthood and to bear your name as members of your Society. (Please pray this prayer often.)