CHAMINADE, GUILLAUME-JOSEPH. - Founder of the Society of Mary (Marianists) and of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary, born at Périgueux on 8 April 1761, died at Bordeaux on 22 January 1850. Having graduated in Paris, he taught at the college-seminary of Mussidan. With the outbreak of the Revolution, he went to Bordeaux, where he engaged in ministry. In 1797 he was forced into exile and took refuge in Spain, where, near the Madonna of the Pillar, he received the “interior words” that fixed his mission.
Returning to France at the end of 1800, he founded the Work of Mercy in Bordeaux (1801), the Institute of the Daughters of Mary in Agen with the cooperation of Adèle de Trenquelléon (1816), and in 1817 the “Society of Mary in Bordeaux,” a true religious society with vows, composed of priests and laity, whose primary aim was the education of youth. It was praised by decree in 1839, confirmed in 1865, and approved in 1891. It now numbers more than 2,200 religious, spread across more than 160 houses. The cause for beatification was introduced on 8 May 1918.
Apart from the Manual of the Servant of Mary, Chaminade published nothing; he left numerous letters edited in 5 volumes (Nivelles [1930]), manuscripts and notes for conferences to his disciples, later published in various extracts for use within the Congregation. In these writings, adhering to sound traditional doctrine on spirituality, he demonstrates great wisdom and discretion. He recommends a spirit of faith, filial devotion to the Madonna, of whom every Marianist must feel himself “minister and soldier,” and indefatigable zeal, since each must be considered a missionary.