Chronological Landmarks

Chronological Landmarks

MELCHIOR DE MARION BRÉSILLAC

1813December 2Melchior de Marion Brésillac is born in Castelnaudary (Aude).
December 5Baptism at the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
1832-1834 Studies rhetoric and philosophy at the minor seminary of Carcassonne.
1834-1838 Teaching of natural sciences at the minor seminary and theology studies at the major seminary.
1838June 9Ordained as a deacon.
December 22Ordained as a priest in the chapel of the episcopal residence.
1838-1841 Pastoral ministry as a vicar in Saint-Michel, Castelnaudary.
1841May 3Preaches in support of the Propagation of the Faith at the Cathedral of Carcassonne.
June 2Departs from Castelnaudary to Paris.
June 9Arrives at the Seminary of the Foreign Missions.
1842March 28Departs from Paris.
April 12Embarks for India.
July 24Lands in Pondicherry. Takes time to learn the Tamil language.
1843February 28Departs for the Salem mission.
1844January 8Departs from Salem to participate in the first synod of Pondicherry.
February 3Appointed as the superior of the seminary-college of Pondicherry.
1845May 6Appointed as the titular bishop of Pruse and pro-vicar of the future apostolic vicariate of Coimbatore.
June 30De Marion Brésillac learns of this appointment.
September 26He renounces the episcopate but remains the superior of the seminary-college.
1846March to JuneThe Holy See maintains its decision, and de Brésillac accepts the episcopate.
September 19Departs from Pondicherry to Coimbatore.
October 4Episcopal ordination in Carumattampatty.
December 17Travels for a pastoral visit in the Ootacamund region.  
1847MayTravels to Verapoly, Kerala, for the episcopal ordination of Mgr. Baccinelli, O.C.D., pro-vicar apostolic of Quilon.
JuneTravels to Trichinopoly for the episcopal ordination of Mgr. Canoz, S.J., apostolic vicar of Madurai.
1848January 2-8Pastoral visit to the Palghat district.
October 8Departs for Pondicherry to prepare for the second synod.
1849January 15-22Preaches the preparatory retreat for the synod.
1850April 3Erection of the apostolic vicariate of Coimbatore, with Mgr. de Marion Brésillac as its head.
1851June 12Sends an important document to Rome regarding Malabar rites.
Late July to Mid-SeptemberTravels to Ceylon with Mgr. Bettachini, apostolic vicar of Jaffna.
1853January 30The Propaganda authorizes Mgr. de Brésillac to come to Rome to explain the reasons for his repeatedly requested resignation.
October 26-30Preaches a retreat to seminarians in Carumattampatty.
November 12Departs from Coimbatore for Rome.
1854January 14Departs from Bombay.
January 23Arrives in Aden.
February 13Passes through Cairo.
 February 17-24Stays in Alexandria.
 March 6Arrives in Malta.
March 14Arrives in Naples and stays for a month.
April 19Arrives in Rome.
June 24Submits a report as requested by the Propaganda.
August 20Departs from Rome for France.
August 26Arrives with his family in Castelnaudary.
October 19Arrives in Paris at the MEP (Paris Foreign Missions Society).
December 14Writes a letter to Mgr. Barnabò reiterating his resignation request.
1855March 18Pope Pius IX accepts his resignation as the apostolic vicar of Coimbatore.
Late AprilRetreat in Versailles with the Capuchins.
May 26Writes a letter to Mgr. Barnabò expressing readiness for new missionary engagement.
June 1-8Preaches an ordination retreat at the grand seminary of Soissons.
Late DecemberTravels to Rome.
1856January 4Submits a report to the Propaganda regarding the creation of a mission in Dahomey. During a meeting, Mgr. Barnabò encourages him to establish “a Society of Missionaries.”
January 15The term “Society of African Missions” is mentioned for the first time in a letter.
April 10Departs from Rome. Begins tours in France to recruit personnel and raise funds for the SMA (Society of African Missions).
October 29Enters the first house of the SMA in Lyon.
November 7Arrival of Father Augustin Planque at the Lyon house.
December 8Official date of the foundation of the SMA.
1857 Conducts preaching tours and fundraising for the SMA.
1858April 13Erection of the apostolic vicariate of Sierra Leone, entrusted to Mgr. de Brésillac.
November 3Departs with three SMA missionaries to Sierra Leone.
1859February 19Mgr. de Brésillac leaves Lyon for Brest.
March 11Departs for Sierra Leone with two other missionaries.
April 7Arrives in Gorée and Dakar. Stays with the Spiritans.
May 14Arrives in Freetown. A severe epidemic strikes the region, and the missionaries assist the sick.
June 2Death of Father Louis Riocreux.
June 5Death of Father Jean-Baptiste Bresson.
June 13Death of Brother Gratien Monnoyeur.
June 25Death of Mgr. de Brésillac at 1:20 PM.
June 26Mgr. de Brésillac is interred.
June 28Death of Father Louis Reymond.