Chronological Landmarks

Melchior de Marion Brésillac is born in Castelnaudary (Aude).

Baptism at the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Studies rhetoric and philosophy at the minor seminary of Carcassonne.

1832-1834

Teaching of natural sciences at the minor seminary and theology studies at the major seminary.

1834-1838

Ordained as a deacon.

Ordained as a priest in the chapel of the episcopal residence.

Pastoral ministry as a vicar in Saint-Michel, Castelnaudary.

1838-1841

Preaches in support of the Propagation of the Faith at the Cathedral of Carcassonne.

Departs from Castelnaudary to Paris.

Arrives at the Seminary of the Foreign Missions.

Departs from Paris.

Embarks for India.

Lands in Pondicherry. Takes time to learn the Tamil language.

Departs for the Salem mission.

Departs from Salem to participate in the first synod of Pondicherry.

Appointed as the superior of the seminary-college of Pondicherry.

Appointed as the titular bishop of Pruse and pro-vicar of the future apostolic vicariate of Coimbatore.

De Marion Brésillac learns of this appointment.

He renounces the episcopate but remains the superior of the seminary-college.

He renounces the episcopate but remains the superior of the seminary-college.

March to June

Departs from Pondicherry to Coimbatore.

Episcopal ordination in Carumattampatty.

Travels for a pastoral visit in the Ootacamund region.

Travels to Verapoly, Kerala, for the episcopal ordination of Mgr. Baccinelli, O.C.D., pro-vicar apostolic of Quilon.

Travels to Trichinopoly for the episcopal ordination of Mgr. Canoz, S.J., apostolic vicar of Madurai.

Pastoral visit to the Palghat district.

January 2-8

Departs for Pondicherry to prepare for the second synod.

Preaches the preparatory retreat for the synod.

January 15-22

Erection of the apostolic vicariate of Coimbatore, with Mgr. de Marion Brésillac as its head.

Sends an important document to Rome regarding Malabar rites.

Travels to Ceylon with Mgr. Bettachini, apostolic vicar of Jaffna.

Late July to Mid-September

The Propaganda authorizes Mgr. de Brésillac to come to Rome to explain the reasons for his repeatedly requested resignation.

Preaches a retreat to seminarians in Carumattampatty.

October 26-30

Departs from Coimbatore for Rome.

Departs from Bombay.

Arrives in Aden.

Passes through Cairo.

Stays in Alexandria.

February 17-24

Arrives in Malta.

Arrives in Naples and stays for a month.

Arrives in Rome.

Submits a report as requested by the Propaganda.

Departs from Rome for France.

Arrives with his family in Castelnaudary.

Arrives in Paris at the MEP (Paris Foreign Missions Society).

Writes a letter to Mgr. Barnabò reiterating his resignation request.

Pope Pius IX accepts his resignation as the apostolic vicar of Coimbatore.

Retreat in Versailles with the Capuchins.

Writes a letter to Mgr. Barnabò expressing readiness for new missionary engagement.

Preaches an ordination retreat at the grand seminary of Soissons.

June 1-8

Travels to Rome.

Submits 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.”

The term “Society of African Missions” is mentioned for the first time in a letter.

Departs from Rome. Begins tours in France to recruit personnel and raise funds for the SMA (Society of African Missions).

Enters the first house of the SMA in Lyon.

Arrival of Father Augustin Planque at the Lyon house.

Official date of the foundation of the SMA.

Conducts preaching tours and fundraising for the SMA.

Erection of the apostolic vicariate of Sierra Leone, entrusted to Mgr. de Brésillac.

Departs with three SMA missionaries to Sierra Leone.

Mgr. de Brésillac leaves Lyon for Brest.

Departs for Sierra Leone with two other missionaries.

Arrives in Gorée and Dakar. Stays with the Spiritans.

Arrives in Freetown. A severe epidemic strikes the region, and the missionaries assist the sick.

Death of Father Louis Riocreux.

Death of Father Jean-Baptiste Bresson.

Death of Brother Gratien Monnoyeur.

Death of Mgr. de Brésillac at 1:20 PM.

Mgr. de Brésillac is interred.

Death of Father Louis Reymond.