Gabriel Taborin

Between 1824 and 1829, Gabriel Taborin led an itinerant life in the dioceses of Saint-Claude and Belley. He sought to realize his project of a religious foundation while placing himself at the service of country parish priests as a teacher and catechist. After an unsuccessful attempt to found the "Brothers of Saint Joseph" in Saint-Claude in 1824, he continued his search.

In 1827, he met Monsignor Raymond Devie, the newly re-established bishop of the diocese of Belley. The latter strongly encouraged him and guided him in his endeavor. In 1829, Gabriel settled in Belmont (today Belmont-Luthézieu, in the Ain department), where he opened a boarding school and began to welcome novices.

It was on July 5, 1835, that the Congregation of the Brothers of the Holy Family of Belley was officially founded. The goal of this male lay institute was to provide primary education for rural boys, catechesis, and assistance to priests in parishes (notably for liturgy and sacristy duties). Gabriel Taborin wrote the community's rule of life, titled The Conduct, which received the approval of Bishop Devie. On November 3, 1838, he pronounced his perpetual religious vows in Belmont.

In 1840, in order to expand his work, Brother Gabriel transferred the motherhouse and the novitiate to Belley, the episcopal seat. The institute received pontifical approval from Pope Gregory XVI on August 28, 1841, as well as civil recognition from King Charles Albert of Sardinia on May 11, 1842, for its foundations in Savoy.

Brother Gabriel also maintained a deep friendship and close collaboration with Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars. At the latter's request, he sent a community of three brothers in 1849 to run the boys' school in Ars and participate in the liturgical animation of the parish. Brother Gabriel also wrote a manual of piety for the pilgrims of Ars in 1849, titled The Guiding Angel of the Pilgrims of Ars.

Despite numerous material and administrative difficulties, the institute developed rapidly in several dioceses of France and Savoy. At the death of the founder, which occurred on November 24, 1864, in Belley, the congregation numbered approximately 200 brothers spread across more than 50 schools.

The reputation for holiness of Brother Gabriel Taborin spread immediately upon his death. The diocesan informative process for his beatification was opened in the Diocese of Belley on August 12, 1956, and concluded on August 27, 1959. The founder's writings were examined and approved by a decree of the Holy See on June 13, 1966.

The Positio on his heroic virtues was published in Rome in 1990. After the favorable examination by the historical (1985) and theological (1990) consultants of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope John Paul II promulgated the decree recognizing the heroism of his virtues on May 14, 1991, thus conferring upon him the title of "Venerable."

Brother Gabriel Taborin is currently recognized as Venerable by the Catholic Church. For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Although several reports of graces and healings have been reported over the years, no miracle has yet been formally validated by Rome.

His mortal remains, initially buried in the Belley cemetery, were transferred on November 22, 1998, to the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Belley, where they now rest in the Chapel of Saint-Anne.

The spirituality of the Venerable Gabriel Taborin is deeply rooted in the mystery of the Holy Family of Nazareth. He proposes that his brothers take Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as models in their daily lives, characterized by simplicity, shared work, prayer, and mutual charity. The motto he gave to his congregation summarizes this ideal of life: "In oratione, labore et charitate, pax" (In prayer, work, and charity, peace).

Brother Gabriel conceived of education as an integral work aimed at "forming citizens for society and saints for heaven." His charism highlights the vocation of the lay religious (the Brother) in the service of the local Church and human advancement.

Today, the work of Brother Gabriel Taborin continues throughout the world. Although the congregation had to face expulsion laws in France at the beginning of the 20th century (which pushed it to establish itself in Italy and Latin America), the Brothers of the Holy Family (often called the SAFA network) are now active in a dozen countries in Europe, Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay), Africa (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast), and Asia (India, Philippines, Vietnam). In 2014, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death, students from schools in Burkina Faso created the "Petit Taborin Foundation" to help children in situations of great precariousness.