Pact of Fidelity, 1831

After the unrest in France from the mini-revolution of 1830, Father Dujarié's little group of Brothers of St. Joseph felt it important that they pledge allegiance to each other at the annual retreat in September. The document is printed here in a translation by George Klawitter, CSC.

Ruillé-sur-Loir              September, 1831

We, James Francis Dujarié, priest superior and founder of the Society of the Brothers of Saint Joseph, established at Ruillé-sur-Loir, and we members of the said society, considering the evil of the present times which threaten all hope of our enduring for much longer, aware that the [government] will no longer gladly suppress congregations like ours, but will encourage and sustain them, and moreover convinced that the goodness of God will not leave this state of affairs fixed in this very Christian country, but will lead us to peaceful days and true freedom by which our Institute will be able to appear in its former glory and advance, mutually and unanimously to assure its continuation and to perpetuate its duration for the greater glory of the Lord and the salvation of souls, we pledge ourselves by the present act of the strictest obligation that we can make so that violation will constitute sin:

1) to live attached to our holy Institute

2) to sustain each other until death

3) to remain united in the body of the Congregation and the Community as long as possible, following the same practices and rules that we have practiced up to now

4) and in case we have to dissolve, to remain united in heart and affections, sustaining and assisting each other reciprocally

5) to assemble as a body in community as time and place permit

6) We Brothers of Saint Joseph will continue our submission to and dependence on Father Dujarié, our founder and superior general who, assisted by four Brothers of his council who are presently Brother André Pierre Mottais (Chief Director), Brother Léonard Francis Guittoyer (Second Director), Brother Henry Michael Taupin (Third Director), and Brother Vincent Ferier John Pieau.   In case it is possible to reunite them, or impossible, he will give us orders for all of them, following the circumstances below.

7) Conforming to the dispositions of the preceding article, he will be able to innovate and abrogate in our rules and customs everything he judges necessary for the time and circumstances

8) Near our superior we have our rallying point

9) and if we have the misfortune to lose him, we will rally around the bishop of Le Mans

10) if one of the members of the council is lost, the superior with his remaining counselors will elect another

Made at Ruillé-sur-Loir, at the house of St. Joseph, September 1, 1831.

Brother John Baptist Verger

Brother André Pierre Mottais, Chief Director

Brother Vincent Ferier John Pieau

Brother Romain Francis Bouvier

Michael Coupine

Brother Henry, Third Director

Brother Leonard Guittoyer, Second Director

Brother Stanislaus Lorian

Joseph Gregory Derve

Brother Francis-Mary Tulou

Brother John Climacus J.C. Coutamin

Brother Onezime Maturin

P.f. Pilard

Brother Martin John Varger

Brother Remi Enperiaume

Brother Stephen Gaufre

Brother Anthony Peter Le Fevre

Since I [        ] to be in the Community, I promise with all my heart to this agreement.

Brother Vincent de Paul

John Baptist, Vincent de Paul

I take part in this alliance made between the Brothers of St. Joseph in the month of September, 1831.

Brother Mary Joseph Peter Rene Duval

The church at Ruillé-sur-Loir, Father Dujarié's parish church, where the document would have been signed during the annual retreat in 1831.

Return to Documents main page.

Return to Holy Cross History main menu.