Saint Marcellin Champagnat did not go to school until he was 11 years old. Growing up during the French Revolution meant many schools were closed or did not operate as they should. As a result, Catholic children did not learn their faith. When he was 11, Saint Marcellin went to school for one day. He left because the teacher beat another student. Saint Marcellin did not return to school until he joined the seminary to become a priest.
Shortly after he was ordained, Saint Marcellin was called to the home of a boy who was dying. He went to hear the boy’s confession. In doing so, he found out that this child had not received any formal training in the Catholic faith. This experience, and the memory of his one day of school convinced Saint Marcellin that he was called to do something to help educate the poor children of France.
Saint Marcellin founded a community of brothers dedicated to Mary that established schools in rural communities. Today the Marist Brothers, and lay Marist men and women, work in more than 80 countries.
Saint Marcellin Champagnat is the patron saint of educators, simplicity, and teachers. We can honor Saint Marcellin by applying ourselves at school and at catechism or religion classes. We can also ask Saint Marcellin to help us grow close and stay close to Jesus and Mary as he was.