Poup1Intro

I. Victor Poupinel in Lyon, Puylata

First Section

From May 1839 to May 1845

At Puylata, Deacon Poupinel entered the novitiate on September 3, 1838. He was quickly noticed by Colin, who requested a dispensation of age (six months) for priestly ordination: "This colleague of solid virtue and sufficient knowledge will be useful to me for the affairs of our mission…". Taking his vows on September 3, he was ordained a priest on September 15, 1839. Starting in April 1839, Poupinel drafted the minutes or letters for Colin, who made him his secretary and involved him in his role as the procurator of the missions. By consulting CS1, one can find Colin's letters with indications such as Poupinel's handwriting or Poupinel's draft. During the general retreat of September 1841, Colin, "in order to alleviate the burden of general superiorship, declared… Father Poupinel procurator of Oceania" (CS1, 291, 7). This marked an important turning point in Colin's generalship (see G. Lessard, CS1, p. 471). Poupinel began managing affairs in Colin's absence, for example, in Belley from November 1841 to April 1842. He accompanied Colin to Rome from May 28 to August 28, 1842. From 1839, he handled numerous matters related to the departure of missionaries: eight between June 1839 and February 1845. Most of the edited letters are related to missions. Poupinel started using English for his correspondents in London. "I try to do it in the English language; I am very far from being acquainted with your language, but you will be good enough to pardon my inability." (doc. 2,1; 6,5). While performing his duties as procurator, Poupinel participated in preaching missions, for example, in April 1843 with Denis Maîtrepierre in Saint-Bonnet-le-Troncy, in November 1843 with Etienne Séon in Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue (Loire). In March 1844, he preached Lent in Condé-sur-Noireau (Calvados), the land of his origins. He also had the opportunity to preach in Lyon, Saint-Etienne... Many documents from this period have already been edited in CS1 and CS2. They are included in this volume, along with some notes from Gaston Lessard. It will often be useful to consult these works for additional information. This section concludes at the time when Poupinel opens a "Cahier de la Procure" in June 1845.