LEONTIO LYKEIO - PATISSIA

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT

Saint Marcellin Champagnat was born in 1789 in a small village in Central France, the sixth child of a rural family. From a very early age, he was taught to revere Virgin Mary by his mother and his aunt, who was a nun. During his stay at home, he decided to repeat small prayers that these two women had taught him throughout the day.
Later, during a chance meeting with a priest, he realised he had been called to become a clergyman; both his family and Marcellin himself accepted the challenge despite financial difficulties.
In the seminary, his veneration towards Virgin Mary dramatically increased and as a token of his love, he resolved to recite daily the Holy Rosary, which he actually did throughout his life. One day, as he was praying in front of her icon, he realized that God had meant him to work towards a holier existence for himself and his followers. Since that day his motto had been:

"Everything for Christ though Virgin Mary and everything to Virgin Mary for Christ"

After his ordination, he became a deputy vicar in a small village in Central France, in the Archbishopry of Lyon. In 1816, after an ordinary visit to a dying child who was unaware of God's existence, he decided to found an Educational Brotherhood dedicated to the spiritual and pedagogical needs of young people. He placed his wishes and hopes in Virgin Mary's trust since she was the immaculate protector of the newly founded community named after her: "the Marist Brothers". He was convinced that she would personally care for the materialization and development of this beneficent initiative.
The beginning was comforting, yet painstaking. The order was actually founded on January 2nd 1817 by two young men; today, however, 5000 brothers serve the cause in 74 different countries. Therefore, Marcellin's dream "to establish schools in every corner of the world" has come true.
Marcellin Champagnat was canonized on May 18, 1999 by the Holy Father, the Pope John-Paul II. This act fills us with contentment and renders us willing to continue his work with even greater faith and generosity.

















	SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT Saint Marcellin Champagnat was born in 1789 in a small village in Central France, the sixth child of a rural family. From a very early age, he was taught to revere Virgin Mary by his mother and his aunt, who was a nun. During his stay at home, he decided to repeat small prayers that these two women had taught him throughout the day. Later, during a chance meeting with a priest, he realised he had been called to become a clergyman; both his family and Marcellin himself accepted the challenge despite financial difficulties. In the seminary, his veneration towards Virgin Mary dramatically increased and as a token of his love, he resolved to recite daily the Holy Rosary, which he actually did throughout his life. One day, as he was praying in front of her icon, he realized that God had meant him to work towards a holier existence for himself and his followers. Since that day his motto had been: "Everything for Christ though Virgin Mary and everything to Virgin Mary for Christ" After his ordination, he became a deputy vicar in a small village in Central France, in the Archbishopry of Lyon. In 1816, after an ordinary visit to a dying child who was unaware of God's existence, he decided to found an Educational Brotherhood dedicated to the spiritual and pedagogical needs of young people. He placed his wishes and hopes in Virgin Mary's trust since she was the immaculate protector of the newly founded community named after her: "the Marist Brothers". He was convinced that she would personally care for the materialization and development of this beneficent initiative. The beginning was comforting, yet painstaking. The order was actually founded on January 2nd 1817 by two young men; today, however, 5000 brothers serve the cause in 74 different countries. Therefore, Marcellin's dream "to establish schools in every corner of the world" has come true. Marcellin Champagnat was canonized on May 18, 1999 by the Holy Father, the Pope John-Paul II. This act fills us with contentment and renders us willing to continue his work with even greater faith and generosity.