MARY CHRISIEL A.

ATANQUE – BS ARCH 1 August 25, 2021

Life of St. Marcellin Champagnat

Marcellin Champagnat was born in France in 1789, the year of the French Revolution. He was destined to live an
amazing life and leave an even greater legacy. Marcellin devoted his life to creating the Marist Brothers and instilling a
way of life in his disciples. Marcellin's early years were unremarkable. The area in which he grew up was seriously
affected by the French Revolution's turbulence. His community was run-down, essentially poor, and educational
opportunities were severely limited. Marcellin began his spiritual and spiritual education as a priest in 1813 at Lyon's
main seminary. Marcellin was named curate of the parish of Lavalla-en-Gier after his ordination as a priest on 2 July
1816.
Marcellin paid a visit to a young man – Jean Baptiste Montage – who was seriously sick at the end of 1816. Marcellin was
concerned that this needy teen was not only poor and uneducated, but also ignorant of religion and God. Marcellin had
a strong desire to act to solve the situation of the young people represented by Jean Baptiste as a result of this
encounter. Thus was born the concept of establishing an order of teaching Brothers dedicated to improving the lives of
youngsters who face adversity and lack of opportunity.
On 2 January 1817, Marcellin requested the assistance of two young men, Jean-Marie Granjon and Jean Baptiste Audras,
in establishing the Marist Brothers' nucleus. Others quickly followed, and La Valla was thus transformed into the home
of the Marist Brothers. Between 1817 and 1824, Ignatius established a primary school in La Valla that served as a
training ground for his young Brothers. Many of these early Brothers were teens who were drawn to Marcellin's
communities for its warmth, cheerfulness, and family spirit.
Marcellin's passion for teaching and gospel promotion inspired his Brothers. He lived among them, instructing them on
how to live in a holy society and on how to care for and educate children. His educational theory was straightforward: in
order to educate children, one must first love them.
Thus, Marist schools began as joyful places, with a warm teaching environment favorable to easy and open interactions
between instructors and students, and an emphasis on inclusion - everyone was welcomed and loved. This is what
Marcellin described to as "the family spirit," which continues to pervade everyone who are touched by the Marist
charism.
Over the following two decades, Marcellin continued his work of building Marist communities. He died at the age of 51
as a result of the consequences of his failing health. Marcellin died on 6 June 1840 in the Gier River Valley,
approximately 30 kilometers from where he began his work. More than 320 young men had already decided to follow
his example and work at the time of his death. Within twenty years, this number had increased to nearly 2000, and
today, Marist Brothers continue to live out Marcellin's goal by caring for and educating pupils worldwide.
Marcellin was proclaimed Venerable in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV, beatified on 29 May 1955 by Pope Pius XII, and
canonized on 18 April 1999 by Pope John Paul II.

NDDU Core Values

Family Spirit - Champagnat's great hope was that people in the Brothers' schools would relate to one another as
members of a loving family, Mary being our Mother.

Marian - In a Marist school, our model in following Jesus is Mary, whose virtues we try to live.

Simplicity - This value is about being real in our relationships, transparent and honest. It also should characterize our
lifestyle and activities as we avoid excesses or luxuries.

Presence and Participation - Being present at classes and activities and taking an active part: these are Marist ways of
getting to know others.
Preference for the Least Favored - Work with those on the margins of society was at the beginning of the Marist
Brothers' Congregation. This spirit continues in Marist schools today.

Love of Work - We recognize the dignity of work, as it offers us purpose in life and self-fulfillment, as well as contributes
to the well-being of family, community, and nation.

Integrity of Creation - Aware that humans and all living and non-living matter are creatures of our God, we care for our
land and its resources, knowing that we are all interdependent.

Quality Education - Competent, Knowledgeable, Ethical. As a Marist School, NDDU aims to provide an education that is
academically excellent and that harmonizes faith, culture and life.