Editor's Note: References for further reading are shown at the end of this timeline.
Some references can be obtained from NACMS.
TIMELINE
BLESSED WILLIAM JOSEPH CHAMINADE
revised 2014
First Period
Early Life and Revolutionary Period 1761 - 1800
1761
Born 14th child of Blaise Chaminade and Catherine Bethon on April 8
H5
Baptized the same day by Fr. Anian Dubois at St. Silvain
H5
1771
Collège de Mussidan - accident to foot while playing
S 11
Healing through Our Lady of Verdelais
S 11-12 Ca 1850-02-13
Initiated into prayer by Jean Baptiste his brother
H 26, 28
1772
First Communion
S 15 Ca 1850 02-13
1773
Enters clerical state-receives tonsure and cassock
H 31 Ca 1850-02-13
Becomes a member of the Musee de Paris
IH x
1775
Makes vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
H 33; S 12; CA 1848-10-18
1776
Becomes a member of the Congregation of St. Charles
IH xi
1782
Attends the College de Lisieux for theological studies
S 15
Is a disciple of Fr. Noel Lacroix
S 14, 112
1782
Receives the sub-diaconate - May 26
S 16
1784 before 03-03
Treasurer of College de Mussidan
H 35-48
1785
Three Chaminade brothers at Mussidan: Jean-Baptiste, Louis, William
S 18
1785 before 11-03
Ordained diocesan priest
S 16 H 60
1785
Examines writings of Suzetter LaBrousse
S 21 H 60
Ministry in hospital
S 20
Chaplain at Notre Dame du Roc shrine
S 20
1789
A delegate at the Estates-General election
H 68 S 22
Supervises thesis of Xavier Bernard Daries
H 31-32 Appendix 1
1790
Prepares for coming revolution
S 23
Chooses domicile in Bordeux: 8 Rue Abadie
S 33 H 72
Death of Jean-Baptiste, his brother and spiritual director
S 22
1791
Refuses to take the Oath of Civil Constitution of Clergy
S 24 H 74
Writes a tract against the oath which has been lost
S 24 H74
Buys house at St. Laurent with help from Fr. Langoiran
S 26
1792
Installs his parents and himself at St. Laurent
Purchases house at St. Laurent
H 78
Buys vineyard also at St. Laurent
IH xi
1793
Begins receiving the retractions of priests who took the oath
S 44-58
1794
Remains in Bordeaux during Reign of Terror braving death
S 33-43
1795
Tries to have his name erased from the émigré list
S 40
Becomes the spiritual director of Therese de Lamourous
S 62 H 114
Writes to Fr. Rousset who took the oath with blend of justice and mercy
S 45-46
1796
Writes letters of spiritual direction to Mlle de Lamourous
L 1 Nos. 9-24
1797
Forced into exile. Leaves Bordeaux with Fr. Bouet
S 69-77 LE VIII 123,138,
Arrives at Sargossa Spain, feast of Our Lady of the Pillar
Certificat Espagnol 4-3-1800
Receives inspiration for future mission at shrine
S 82
1799
Makes plaster statue of saints to survive
S 79
Second Period - The Sodality Years - 1800 -1814
1800
Returns to France with his brother Louis
S 121 H 153
Begins the Sodality of Bordeaux
V Cong Mariale II 13
First meeting in his home - Dec. 8
IH xii S 113
Named Administrator of the diocese of Bazaz until 1802
S 86 - 96 H 152+
Cancellation of list of emigrees
IH xi
1801
Helps in founding the Misericorde with Therese de Lamourous
S 97-110 H 169
Accepts the consecration of the first 12 sodalists
S 114
Named Missionary Apostolic
S 119
1801 - 1803
Forms various sections of Sodality: women, priests, mothers, fathers
S 117, 124, 125, 127
1803
Named a Canon of Bordeaux
1804
Named Chaplain of the Madeleine and transfers the Sodality there
S 136-138
1806
Named ecclesiastical superior of Christian Brothers
S 154 Apotre de Marie V 1935 477
Members of the State found in each section of Sodality
S 226
Forms seminarian section of Sodality
S 157
Death of his brother Louis
S 163
1807
Opens Christian Brothers novitiate at St. Laurent
S 154
1809
Writes series of notes for religious living in the world
S 230 ASM 46.1
Questioned after the arrest of Jean Lafon, sodalist
S 170 V Cong Mariale 4B 62-63
1814
Reorganizes Sodality
S 161-189
Corresponds with Adele de Trenquelleon
S 166
Third Period - The Religious Foundations 1815-1828
1815
Detention at the jail in Hé
Banished, leaves Bordeaux for Chateauroux
V Revue d' hist.de L'Eglise de
France 1955 289
V ibid
1816
With Adele de Trenquelleon founds the Daughters of Mary
S 235-258
1817
Lalanne puts himself at service of Fr. Chaminade
Notice Historique 6
Founds the Society of Mary
S 259 - 280
1818
Forms FMI Third Order secular
S 256
Purchases 46 rue de Menuts under name of Bro. Auguste
S 338
1819
Organizes the Sodality at Libourne
L 1 207-210
Purchase of 2 Rue Lalande
Le Apotre de Marie X 394
1822
Purchases 37 Rue Lalande
Le ibid
Opens First Primary School Villeneuve sur Lot
S 347
1823
Opens St. Remy
1824
S 358
Purchases Hotel Razac
S 341
Starts foundation at Agen
S 238-239
Starts foundation at Colmar
S 352
1825
Receives legal recognition from Charles X
S 388. 398-399
1826
Visits the establishments of the FMI
L II 229
1827
Visits communities (FMI & SM) in Midi
Fourth Period - the Time of Expansion 1828-1840
Notice Historique 32
1829
Visits communities in the East
L II 352-353
Has Constitutions printed
Delas 57-66
1830
Most of his works are ruined by Revolution
S 422+
1831
Takes refuge in Agen
L III 18
1832
Difficulties with Bishop of Agen re FMI
S 444+
1833
Determines regulations from Civil Statutes and formulas of profession
IH xiv
1834
Circular on Religious Habit
LIII 720 364-367
Circular on financial woes of the SM
L III 738, 419-420
Circular on 1st Book of Constitutions
LIII 759 452, 457
Spends the winter at St. Remy
LIII 759. 452
1836
Starts Third Order Regular FMI
S 473-482
Attends the funeral of Therese de Lamourous
LIII 654
Takes up residence in Bordeaux after 5 year absence
ibid
1838
Writes notes on 2nd book of constitutions and Direction
ASM 61, 32
1839
Decree of Praise from Gregory XVI
IH xiv L V 95
Letter to Retreat masters
LV 1163 69-80
1840
Circular on Bookkeeping
L V 1191, 149-153
On Method of Meditation on Apostles Creed
E Oraison 473-515
Circular on Poverty
R C No. 5 87-93
Circular on Obedience
R C No.6 94-107
Circular on Chastity
R C No. 7
Fifth Period - The Years of Trial and Death 1840-1850
108-131
1841
Resigns
Ihiii 4
Circular explaining new role of the GA
IH xv
Goes to novitiate at St. Anne
Society rallies around Founder
IH xv+
1845
Chaminade accepts decree of SC Bishops & Regulars
IH ibid
Chaminade appeals to the Pope
ASM 1409
1849
Chaminade makes Last Will and Testament
IH VIII, IV
1850
Apoplexy attack leads to death January 22, 1850
Rousseau 371-372
Sixth Period - Beatification: 2000
Beatified by St. John Paul II September 3, 2000
REFERENCES TO THE FOLLOWING WORKS:
ASM
Archives GA SM
C
Bl. W.J. Chaminade
CA
Fr. Caillet
SF
Spirit of our Foundation
H
IH
Fr. Humbertclaude
Inquisitio Historica (Positio)
L +vol.
Letters of WJC
Le
Fr. Lebon
S
Fr. Simler
V
Fr. Verrier