France
Return to France
In the storm of the French Revolution
At the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, the Congregation numbered about sixty houses in France and about thirty in Italy and was divided into Provinces: Avignon, the cradle and spiritual center, made up of twenty-seven communities; Toulouse, eighteen communities; Paris, seven communities; La Flèche, whose exact number is unknown since it was a Province in formation; Rome and Naples.
In France, many Fathers devoted themselves to sacred eloquence, following in the footsteps of Father Audifret. At the same time, theology found its scholars in Fathers Le Semelier, Annat, Besombes, Suret, Laroque, Beuf, Gochon, Camblat, while Fathers Boleran, Grenan, Baizé, Louvreleul and Vanin distinguished themselves in letters and teaching. Father Vanin was the first to dedicate himself to the instruction and education of the deaf and dumb, adopting a method that included the support of images.
Father Laboysiére was a preacher at the Court of Louis XVI, Father Corbin was the tutor of the heir to the throne, Father Bonnefoux directed the Institute of Charity in Paris, Father Le Semelier taught Theology in Paris and was the author of conferences on morality, which were printed in twenty-two volumes. Father Iard preached Lent four times in Paris, left five volumes of meditations on the Gospels and Epistles of the year; Father Clombe was a professor of Theology at San Carlo and published the Institutiones Theologicae in ten volumes. The Doctrinaries Richard, Dirivier and Domergue distinguished themselves for their literary and grammatical criticism, Father Laromiguiére was an illustrious scientist.
The impetuous winds of the Revolution also hit the Congregation. In 1790 all religious corporations were dissolved, but the execution of the ordinance remained suspended for the Congregations dedicated to the education of youth. Thus the Doctrinaries survived until August 1792, when all Orders and Congregations were definitively abolished.
When the revolutionaries arrived, Father Claudius Bochot, superior, and Father Eustace Felix, bursar, refused to sign the “Civil Constitution of the Clergy”, were arrested and taken to the Seminary of San Firmino, which was transformed into a prison.
The Brief of the beatification of Fathers Claudius Bochot and Eustace Felix reports that they were killed inside the house, or thrown from the window onto the street, where fierce women rushed on the priests to beat them to a pulp with sticks; not content with that, they climbed on the carts, where the bodies were deposited and trampled them, cut them into pieces and showed, with pride, the limbs to passers-by shouting “Long live the Nation”.
Un altro Dottrinario, padre Joseph Raoulx rifiuta il giuramento per la “Costituzione Civile del Clero” e viene rinchiuso nel carcere di San Lazzaro. Condannato a morte il 25 luglio 1794, chiede di essere trucidato per ultimo per poter dare l’assoluzione ai compagni: è ghigliottinato lo stesso giorno.
Altri Dottrinari, piuttosto che prestare il giuramento civile del clero, preferiscono fuggire, vanno a Roma dove padre Royer, Procuratore Generale, e gli altri confratelli li accolgono amorevolmente, collocandoli in varie case della Provincia Romana. Altri Dottrinari si rifugiano a Ravenna, a Ferrara, a Bologna. Altri ancora si rifugiano in Svizzera, Belgio, Inghilterra.
Alcuni Dottrinari invece cedono e firmano la “Costituzione Civile del Clero”.
The last French Superior General, Father Bonnefoux
Eletto nel Capitolo di Parigi del 1776, confermato nel 1782 e riconfermato nel 1788, mai nessun Superiore Generale come padre Bonnefoux ha tanto lottato e sofferto per la Congregazione. Padre Bonnefoux contribuì efficacemente alla missione della Congregazione, imprimendo un forte impulso all’insegnamento, aprendo nuovi collegi e portando la Congregazione al più alto grado di sviluppo e prosperità. Dal 1710 apre i collegi di Bedarides, Vence, Senez, Miramont, Barcellonette, Lodève, Nant nel Rouergue, Sospello, Castelnoudary, Moissac, Tarbes, Acqs, Bellac, Avallon, Vitry-le-François, Châlon-en-Champagne, Troyes, Trégnac, una terza casa a Parigi, il collegio dell’Esquilino a Tolosa, con un complesso scolastico comprendente tutti gli ordini di studi dalle elementari alle facoltà di Teologia e di Filosofia, il collegio e il seminario di Mende e il seminario di Nîmes. Più avanti si aggiungono le case di Carpentras, Carcassonne, La Flèche, Bordeaux, Saint Omer, Montpellier, Montauban, Orange, Avignon, Aix, Condom, Gap e altre ancora.
The return to the land of the founder
The first attempt to re-establish the Congregation in France dates back to 1850, but it would take more than a century. In 1966, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Avignon, Mgr. Joseph Urtassun, the Fathers returned to the land of the Founder, to Cheval Blanc, six kilometers from Cavaillon. Father Battista Previtali and another brother began a humble and significant presence, and they were joined by Father Francesco Balzola, who had returned from Brazil.
In 1985, the new Archbishop of Avignon, Monsignor Raymond Bouchex, entrusted the parish of Cavaillon, with the Cathedral, so beloved by the Founder, to the Congregation. Father Battista Previtali was appointed parish priest, with Father Giambattista Carnevale Garè and Father Adair Diniz, Brazilian. Many other brothers have since then committed themselves to service not only in the parish of Cavaillon, but also in the Diocese of Avignon. In particular Father Giorgio Levorato, Father Franco Mangili, Father Vincenzo De Martino and Father Giovanni Mario Radaelli.
With the consent of the Bishop of Pontoise, Most Rev. Bertrand Benoît, on April 16, 2025, and that of the Definitory on July 30, 2025, Father Sergio La Pegna, Superior General of the Congregation of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine, erected the religious house of Bouffémont, France, with the primary responsibility of overseeing the youth ministry of the Deanery of Écouen.
