DÉMIA, CHARLES. – Priest, b. at Bourg (Bresse) on 3 October 1636, d. at Ainay (Lione) on 25 October 1689.
A pupil of the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, ordained a priest in 1663, he initially devoted himself to the missions. Returning to his native land, he became archpriest of Bresse and extraordinary visitor of the diocese of Lione. In January 1667 he established the first free school for the indigent class, soon followed by others: when twelve years later (1679) s. G. B. de la Salle founded those of Reims, Lione already possessed twelve « Petites écoles », six for boys and as many for girls. The male teachers, whom the founder intended for the priesthood, and the female teachers lived in distinct communities or seminaries, which were at one time also novitiates and normal schools. He had drawn up for the « Petites écoles » carefully considered regulations, which also provided for manual work. The teachers made use of monitors called « officials », but retained responsibility for supervision and instruction, following the simultaneous method rather than the mutual method. The Congrégation des Sœurs de St-Charles (with its mother house in Lione) was founded by the priest D.