Rev Jean-Claude Colin SM
Title:
Rev
First Name:
Jean-Claude
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Surname:
Colin
Order:
SM
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
St-Bonnet-le-Troncy, Rhône
Country of Birth:
France
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
Country of Ordination:
France
Ordination Diocese:
Seminary:
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
La Neylière, Pomeys, Rhône
Country of Death:
France
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
La Neylière, Pomeys, Rhône
Country of Burial:
France
Find A Grave URL:
Biographical Notes
Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 2: Biographies of Priests on the Australian Scene up to 1900, 1980, p 63:
Colin, Jean Claude SM, Venerable, French, Golden Jubilarian, Overseas Benefactor
Founder and First Superior of Marists
A limited number who never came to Australia - Heptonstall O.S.B., Cardinal Cullen, etc are on the A to Z list, for the reason that they played a major role in the build-up of Australian Catholicity by their work in a sort of agency capacity. Colin is among this number. He is honoured by the Church as Venerable for his sanctity and is really deserving of a full-length biography. He was born on 7 August 1790 and ordained on 22 July 1816. The reason for his importance to Australia is simple: he was the founder and first superior of the Marist Fathers, and accepted the commission from the Holy Father to staff the Marist Missions in the Pacific in 1836. What the outcome of that acceptance has meant to Australia and its neighbours in the Pacific Islands is a long story - one replete with heroism, and at times martyrdom. Colin retired from the superior-ship in 1854, and died 20 years later on 15 November 1875. He had reached the age of 85 and attained a Golden Jubilee of Ordination. His remains are at La Neyliere, France.
(Footprints, Vol. 2, No. 7)
Ref.: Rev. J. Hosie SM who has written a longer biography for a future 'Footprints'.