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The Cause of Jean-Claude Colin

The Cause for Beatification of Jean-Claude Colin was first launched at the Marist Fathers' General Chapter of 1893.  In subsequent years it followed a chequered path. A series of postulators were appointed and worked at varying intensity on the matters at hand, with interruptions by two World Wars and the emerging need for systematic research on the sources of Marist history.
From the mid-1950s to the 1980s significant steps were taken through the labours of Frs Jean Coste and Gaston Lessard. The publication between 1957 and 1967 of four volumes of 'Origines Maristes' was followed by further work on the history of the Society and publications on Fr Colin, notably 'A Founder Speaks' (1975) and 'A Founder Acts' (1981).  A succession of courses in Marist Renewal in subsequent years featured more studies of Marist history and the part played by Fr Colin as Founder and Father of the Society of Mary.
Eventually in Rome at the General Chapter of Sep 2009 delegates asked the newly-elected Marist General Administration to further examine the matter of the Cause. The following year at the Annual Review Consultation (Rome, Oct 2010), assembled provincials and district superiors voted in favour of pursuing the Cause anew.
In Jun 2011 the position of a new postulator was confirmed - Italian Marist and General Archivist, Fr Carlo-Maria Schianchi. (see 'Postulator and process')   On Nov 15, 2012, anniversary of the death of Jean-Claude Colin in 1875, this web site was launched. It seeks to alert the wider Marist world and the international Catholic faith community to the person of Jean-Claude Colin and his Cause for Beatification.
In early 2017 the Cause was officially re-opened, and an historical investigation commenced by experts of the Archdiocese of Lyon, concluding in July 2020. The Cause documentation would then be sent to Rome...
Visitors may reflect on the place of Jean-Claude Colin not only in the founding of the Society of Mary and the renewal of faith in post-Revolution France, but in the pioneer missions of Oceania and the spreading of Mary's gentle spirit to many peoples of the world.  As they come to know him better may they be moved to pray for special graces through his intercession...
~~~
Go to:    History of the Cause     |     The Postulators      |     Seeking graces     |     Network     |     Writings
The village of Cerdon, in the northern Bugey mountains
Detail: Official icon of Jean-Claude Colin, with Blessed Virgin and Child
Barbery: Cross on the site of the Colin home
Forest of Barbery: hiding place for priests during Revolutionaries' raids - and of quiet for the young Jean-Claude
St Bonnet-le-Troncy, boyhood home of Jean-Claude Colin
River Loire, which flows past the minor seminary of St Jodard
Lyon, Fourvière: ancient chapel of the Blessed Virgin and Basilica
Fourvière: sanctuary of the ancient chapel of the Blessed Virgin.
Cerdon: Fr Colin's first appointment as assistant to his brother, Pierre.
Cerdon: statue in the church of St John the Baptist
Presbytery at Cerdon: home for the first nine years of Jean-Claude's priestly life.
Belley: Minor seminary high school where pioneer Bugey missioners lived
Bugey mountains: village of Lacoux
Bugey mountains: church at Innimont
Bugey mountains: church at Innimont
Bugey mountains: statue at Arandas
Rome: The Quirinale, residence of the Popes at the time of Fr Colin's first visits
Rome: Odescalchi Palace, from the church of the Apostles where Fr Colin stayed in 1833
Belley: Chapel of La Capucinière, first Marist professions, 1836
Lyon, Puylata: General House of the Society of Mary from 1838
Rochefort du Gard: one of the shrines undertaken by Fr Colin and the Marists
Toulon, La Seyne: One of the first high schools established by the Marist Fathers
Marcellange: established by Fr Colin as a place of retreat for his missioners
Trappist monastery at Aiguebelle: Fr Colin would make private retreats here
La Neylière: planned by Fr Colin to be a place of silence and retreat
La Neylière: book belonging to Fr Colin
La Neylière: Fr Colin's study
La Neylière: winter sunset, from the room of Fr Colin
La Neylière: bedroom of Fr Colin
La Neylière: crucifix laid in the hands of Fr Colin upon his death
La Neylière: resting place of Fr Colin

History of the Cause

 

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'Chronology (1875-2024) of the Cause for Beatification of Jean-Claude Colin'
Summary chronology of the Cause prepared for the General Chapter of 2017, with updates to Nov 2024
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Selected Comments of Fr Jean Coste
A response to the four objections to Fr Colin's Cause (1993 General Chapter)
Final remarks (1993 General Chapter)
Speaking to Fr Colin (1990 Bicentenary)
 
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'Reluctant Saint? -- The Cause for Beatification of  Marist Founder, Fr Jean-Claude Colin'
A brief chronology of the Cause of Fr Colin, first published in NZ Marist Messenger, Mar 2018.

 

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See also Fr Carlo-Maria's article in 'Forum Novum', Jan 2013,
'Causa Colin - Yesterday & Today': 
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