Brausiet, Mattheu

Brausiet, Mattheu a French monk, director-general of the Christian Brothers, was born November 1, 1792, at Gachat, Department of the Loire. In 1809 he entered on his novitiate in the Christian Brothers at Lyons, and was subsequently entrusted with the direction of the Brothers' schools at Metz and Rheims. In 1817 he made his profession, and in 1823 was called to Paris to act as director of the community of St. Nicholas, and as visitor of the Brothers' schools of the Department. Seven years later he became assistant to the superior-general of the Christian Brothers, brother Anaclet, upon whose death in 1838 he became director general of that order, which office he held for thirty-six years. In 1873 he visited Rome to witness the beatification of his exemplar, John Baptist de la Salle, the founder of his order. This journey proved too much for him, and on his return to; Paris he died, January 7, 1874. His works of instruction have had a large circulation. The following have been published in America: Meditations on our Last End: — Meditations on the Blessed Virgin May: — Particular Examen: —Meditations on the Holy Eucharist. Brausiet's advice was sought on many occasions by the French government, and twice did two sovereigns, Louis Philippe and Napoleon III, offer him the cross of the Legion of Honor, which he declined.. He accepted it, however, from the president of the French republic, for his community, in acknowledgment of their self-sacrificing conduct in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. In 1838 the Christian Brothers numbered 2300; scholars, 130,000. At the death of brother Philip, by which name Brausiet was known in his order, the brethren numbered 10,000; scholars, 400,000. Brausiet was one of the greatest promoters of Christian education that modern times have produced. See (N.Y.) Cath. Almanac, 1875, page 64.