Teacher and ceremonialist
Teacher
“Brother Athanase, he is the true religious,” Mr. Vianney remarked one day to the superior of the brothers. In 1849 (the Curé of Ars was then 63 years old) a new religious arrived in Ars, Brother Athanase Planche, from the brothers of the Holy Family of Belley. Accompanied by his superior and founder, Brother Gabriel Taborin, he joined the parish where other brothers were already established. At the request of the Curé of Ars, he arrived as a teacher at the boys’ school; he will quickly become a legendary figure of Ars… during his 63 years of presence in this village!
Born in Chalons in 1825, with real charisma as a teacher, he took charge of the new boys’ school opened by Mr. Vianney in 1847. A competent, loved and respected teacher, he retained his position for more than 50 years. It will see the construction of the boys’ boarding school, blessed by the Curé of Ars in 1856. In 1872, he built a new building (the current Maison S. Jean) which would have up to 80 students. He will teach generations of children who have a true veneration for him.
Ceremonial
Brother Athanase was also master of ceremonies at the church in conjunction with Brother Jerome, the sacristan: daily masses, various celebrations, processions, death of the holy priest, start of pilgrimages… he fulfilled his office at the church for 40 years. It was on this occasion that he reported this story: one Christmas night, after the consecration, Mr. Vianney held the host in front of him seeming to speak to it, mixing tears and smiles. “So what were you doing?” » asked the brother – “A funny idea came to me. I said to Our Lord: if I knew that I had the misfortune of not seeing you for eternity, since I hold you now I would never let go of you! “.
He thus had the privilege of living next to a saint during the last 10 years of Mr. Vianney’s life, and of being called by him “his comrade”. A habitual witness to the heroism of his priest, he admired him but was no longer surprised by anything… During his first years in Ars, he watched a saint live, was edified by his virtues, admired his humility, I marveled at his charity. It was to him that the Curé of Ars confided that one day he had asked God to perceive his misery, that he had been granted but that without God’s help he would have sunk into despair.
Secretary of the town hall of Ars
He was also for 61 years (until 1910) the secretary of the Town Hall of Ars, a building adjoining the boys’ school. He put his skills at the service of the city to transmit the heritage of the Curé of Ars, and to be among the inhabitants the living memory of their holy pastor and the manifestation of his charity. Loved and revered by all, he died on June 17, 1912 (at the age of 97!); he rests today in the old cemetery of Ars, next to his brothers and the various priests of Ars.
Article taken from the Annales d’Ars n° 315[juillet-août 2008] .
