Spiritual Testament of Marcellin Champagnat.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Here in the presence of God, with the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph as heavenly witnesses, desirous of recording for all the Brothers of Mary, the last and dearest wishes of my heart, I summon all my strength to make my Spiritual Testament in terms of what I believe most in accordance with the will of God, and most conducive to the good of the Society.

In the first place, I humbly beseech all those whom I may have offended or disedified in any way, albeit I am not conscious of any willful offence on my part towards anybody, graciously to grant me pardon, pressed by the boundless charity of Christ, and to add their prayers to mine, asking of God in his goodness to overlook the sins of my past life, and admit my soul to the embrace of his all-loving mercy.

I die with sentiments of grateful and respectful submission to the Superior General of the Society of Mary, and in the closest bonds of union with all its members, especially the Brothers, who in the designs of Providence were to come under my care, and who have always had a special claim on my affection.

I desire that absolute and perfect obedience should always prevail among the Brothers of Mary; that those under authority see in their Superiors the representative of Jesus Christ, and render them willing and implicit obedience, being ever ready to sacrifice at need their own will and judgement. Let them remember that “the obedient religious will speak of victories” and that it is mainly obedience that forms the base and buttress of a community. With hearts thus disposed, the Little Brothers of Mary submit blindly to the guidance, not only of the Major Superiors, but also to all those whose duty it is to lead and direct them. They will let this truth of faith sink deep into their minds, that the Superior takes the place of Jesus Christ, and that when he commands, he should be obeyed as if it were Christ himself commanding.

Also, dear Brothers, I beg of you with all the love of my heart, and by all the love you bear me, keep ever alive among you the charity of Christ. Love one another as Jesus Christ has loved you. Be of one heart and one mind. Have the world say of the Little Brothers of Mary, what they said of the first Christians: “See how they love one another!”

That is the desire of my heart and my burning wish, at this last moment of my life. Yes, my dearest Brothers, hear these last words of your Father, which are those of our Blessed Saviour: Love one another.

It is my wish also, dear Brothers, that the same charity that must bind you one to another as members of a single body, should embrace also all the other Congregations. Oh, I implore you by the boundless love of Christ, cast out of your hearts all envy of anyone, and especially of those whom God calls like yourselves to the religious state, to labour for the education of youth. Be the first to rejoice at their success, and grieve at their misfortunes. Commend them often in your prayers to God, and to Mary, the Mother of God. Give way to them readily. Turn away from any talk that would seek to discredit them. Let the glory of God alone and the honour of Mary be your one aim and ambition.

As your wills must be united with those of the Fathers of the Society of Mary in the will of a single Superior General, so I also desire that you be united with them in heart and mind in Jesus and Mary. May their interests be yours; may you find your happiness in going to their assistance as often as is required. May the same spirit, the same love, unite you together as branches of the same family to the one mother, the Blessed Virgin. Since the Superior General of the Fathers is likewise the Superior of the Brothers, he must be the centre of unity for them both. Happy as I was to receive the obedience and submission of the Brothers of Mary, it is my desire that the Superior General always find in them the same obedience and submission. His spirit is mine, his will is mine. I regard that perfect union and that entire submission as the basic foundation of the Society of Mary.

I ask also of God, and I desire with all my soul, that you be constant and faithful to the devout practice of the presence of God, which is the soul of prayer, of meditation, and of all the virtues; that humility and simplicity may ever be the distinguishing mark of the Little Brothers of Mary; that a tender and filial love for our dear Mother never fail you in all the changes of time and circumstance. Proclaim her love in every place, as far as in you lies. She is Superior of the whole Society, before all others.

With devotion to Mary couple devotion to her noble spouse, glorious St. Joseph. He is, as you know, one of our leading patrons. You act as Guardian Angels of the children entrusted to your care, so, to these pure spirits also, pay a special homage of love, respect and confidence.

Dear Brothers, love your vocation, be faithful and steadfast to the end, with manly courage. Remain true to the spirit of poverty and detachment, and let the daily observance of your holy Rule preserve you from ever violating the sacred vow by which you are bound to the fairest of all virtues, and the frailest. There are difficulties in leading the life of a good religious, but grace sweetens all their bitterness. Jesus and Mary will come to your aid, and besides, life is soon over and eternity never ends. Oh, what consolation we have, when about to appear before God, to remember that we have lived in the favour of Mary, and in her own Society. May it please that good Mother to preserve you, give you increase and bring you to holiness.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the imparting of the Holy Spirit be with you always. I leave you trustfully within the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, until we all meet again in eternal bliss.

This is my full and final will for the glory of Jesus and Mary.

The present Spiritual Testament shall be delivered into the hands of Fr. Colin, Superior General of the Society of Mary.

Declared at Notre-Dame de l’Hermitage, the eighteenth of May, eighteen hundred and forty, in the presence of the undersigned:

The Superior and Founder of the Little Brothers of Mary,

Joseph Benedict Marcellin Champagnat Priest of the Society of Mary.

Brother Francois

Brother Louis-Marie

Brother Jean-Marie

Brother Louis

Brother Stanislaus

Brother Bonaventure.

(Art work from the Hermitage - Stations of the Cross)