St Marcellin Champagnat founded the worldwide community of Marist Brothers. He followed his calling from God with the simple and ordinary Christian faith in his heart together with hard work. His passion and love of God at once drove and comforted him throughout his life, while allowing him to live surrounded by those who loved him and all they had built together.

When Marcellin died on June 6, 1840, the order had 48 establishments in France and 278 Brothers. Today there are 5,100 Brothers working in over 80 countries. From small beginnings Marcellin’s dream grew and its influence spread to every continent in the world.