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Our First Century

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All of those early years were full of the fervor of the foundation. The members lived by the spirit rather than by the Rule, of which nothing yet existed except the first outline. By his conversations with his children and, when they were separated from him, by his constant correspondence, the Founder was truly the soul of the Institute. In spite of his great age, he preached the exercises of the retreat each year to the religious assembled in that villa of St. Laurent, which had been the cradle of their vocation. And when they were dispersed across France, he did not hesitate to go repeatedly to visit their houses in order to direct them in the practice of their duties and to urge them on in the exercise of their
apostolate. . . .

How wonderful it was when the Good Father [Simler], surrounded by his Assistants, occasionally approached his children during recreation periods, placed himself in their midst, and spoke to them of the family. These hours passed too quickly, but they will never be forgotten. It is there that generations of religious were formed who have carried a deep love for the family through all the Provinces and transmitted it to their successors, together with the pure spirit of the Society.

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