Some lives make noise; others change the world in silence. Jean-Claude Colin was born in 1790 in St Bonnet-le-Troncy, France, during the time of the Revolution. He was a shy boy with a strong faith. He really loved silence in the middle of the forest, where he was able to find God in stillness. When his mother passed away, Mary became his gentle mother and guide.

During his time at the seminary in Lyon, Father Jean-Claude Colin heard a whisper – a call to be part of Mary’s Work. On the 23 July 1816, twelve young men climbed the hill of Fourvière to promise Mary the beginning of her Society. For us, that seed is the beginning of a lifelong mission.

In the quiet valley of Cerdon, he began to shape the heart of the Marist spirit: hidden and unknown, serving without seeking glory; instruments of mercy, bringing compassion where others found judgment, living like Mary, close to those in need. His dream was simple but immense: to form good Christians, good citizens, and good professionals. He believed that everyone could be Marist, capable of welcoming others as Mary did.

It is like a tree with many branches: priests, brothers, sisters and laypeople – all carrying Mary’s spirit to the most distant places. In his final years at La Neylière, he wrote the Constitutions. It was a work of silence, prayer, and surrender.

The question for us is not, ‘Who was Jean-Claude Colin?’, but rather, ‘How are we giving life to his dream today?’.

Eduardo Limón Gutiérrez, SM