Saint Marcellin Champagnat

Born in a mountain village in the south of France, the son of a farmer, Marcellin grew up in the years of the French Revolution.  His formal schooling did not begin until he was fifteen years old.  To the surprise of his family and friends, he decided to become a priest, and, in spite of many difficulties, he did so.  

He founded a Congregation of Brothers to work for the youth of his own area, though his vision went beyond his own hills.  Our field of work lies in every diocese of the world, he used to tell his Brothers.  He also told them that his Society would prosper more and more after his death.  When he died in 1840, aged 51, there were 280 Brothers in the south of France.  Today, there are 5,000 Brothers and tens of thousands of laypeople who undertake the work of Marist Education in 74 countries around the world.

With six other Seminarians Marcellin pledged to work for the creation of a Marian Society, similar to the Society of Jesus founded by St. Ignatius Loyola.

This inspired vision led to the formation of the Marist Brothers (FMS), the Marist Fathers (SM), the Marist Sisters (SM) and the Marist Missionary Sisters (SMSM).