Brother Gabriel Taborin is the Founder and first Superior of the Institute of the BROTHERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY. He was born in Belleydoux, France, on November 1,1799. He began his work in the diocese of Belley and obtained its approbation from Pope Gregory XVI in 1841. He died in Belley on November 24, 1864, in odour of sanctity. The cause of his beatification has been introduced in Rome, and in 1991 he has been proclaimed Venerable.

Sustained by a deep faith, he began at a very early age to work as catechist and teacher in his own, and in the neighbouring diocese, to foster the flourishment of the faith, thus participating in the Christian rebirth of France. It was a need of the times. The Church of France had suffered religious persecution and the population had suffered social disorders as a consequence of the political revolution of 1789.

Brother Gabriel spent himself above all in the small rural centers supporting elementary schools, catechising the people, and animating the liturgy in the parish churches. He was greatly attracted to the consecrated religious life. This led him to choose it for himself, and others followed him. He, a layman, founded a lay institute to be a leaven of faith among the peoples.

But he didn't feel alone in his noble undertaking because God's Providence permitted him to meet wise and friendly persons. Among them Mons. Raymond Devie, bishop of Belley, who was an inspired guide and help, and Saint John M. Vianney, Curé of Ars who helped him morally and financially to continue the work which he perceived was inspired by God.

During his life the Institute spread in France and Savoie. Open to "every good work" he loved to get involved in mission territory. He would say: "I would rather have the title of catechist in the missions than all the titles of human worth".

A son devouted to the Universal Church, he felt himself attracted to all peoples and to all individuals. He loved them as brothers. His most laborious life was spent in constant and full dedication towards his brothers.

Br. Guglielmo Capra
 
   

BROTHER GABRIEL Taborin
November 1st, 1799
November 24th, 1864

                                                                                           

His parents had 7 children: 6 sons and 1 daughter, 3 of them died very early.
 Gabriel is the latter.                 

       PLACES THAT HE VISITED DURING HIS LIFE, DATES AND DURATION:

    1799      November 1st (or 10 Brumary, year VIII): Gabriel’s birth in BELLEYDOUX.
   1805 - 1811       Gabriel, acolyte and shepherd in Belleydoux.
   1811      June 9th: First Communion
   1811 - 1813    Catechist in Belleydoux.
   1813   May 26th    Confirmation in Oyonnax. 
   1813   of November    Pensioner in PLAGNE during one year. He’s 14.
   1814   of November    Pensioner in CHATILLON of MICHAILLE during 10 months.
   1815   September 1st    Gabriel churchwarden of the church of Belleydoux.         
    1817  January 2nd    Gabriel instructor, catechist and sacristan in Belleydoux.
    1820   of October         Participates during 28 days in a Mission in St. Claude.  
    1824   Halfway through June    He leaves Belleydoux

    Gabriel lived in BELLEYDOUX from November 1st, 1979 to November, 1813 = 14 years.
     And from September 1st, 1815 to June 15th, 1824 = 8 years and 9 months.  

      TEST PERIOD

   1824 Halfway through June

    In Lyon to enter Brother of the Christians Schools.  
   1824. June 20th    Mgr of CHAMON’s Servant, in St. Claude, during 3 months.
   1824 of October     1st taking of habits in BOUCHOUX.
   1824  of November    Service in the cathedral of St. Claude.
   1824   of December    The Brothers of St. Joseph open a school, Poyat Street, lasted 4 months.  
   1825   end of March    End in St. Claude: duration: 9 months and 10 days.
   1825   April 4th    Brother Gabriel, teacher and catechist in JEURRE (Jura) during 14 months and a half.
   1826   end of March     2nd taking of habits in Jeurre.
   1826   June 15th    Goes to COURTEFONTAINE (Jura) for 4 months.
   1826   July 16th     3rd taking of habits in Courtefontaine. Gabriel has remained 2 years and 4 months in Jura.
   1826   October 18th    In the Noviciate of the Brothers of the Jesus Cross in MENESTRUEL for 2 months.
   1826   of December    In CHATILLON SURCHALARONNE during 2 months and a half as a Latin teacher.
   1827   February 27th    Catechist in BRENOD during 6 months and 4th taking of habits.
   1827   end of August    In CHAMPDOR  for 2 months.
   1827   October 30th    In HAUTEVILLE, Parish teacher during 2 years and boarding school.
   1829   July 24th    Religious instruction Certificate.  
   1829   August 4th    Certificate of 2nd degree for the Primary Education.  
   1829   of October    5th taking of habits in Mazière. 

                                                                            
    5 taking of habits for 15 candidates between 1824 and 1829.
    From midway of June, 1814 to November, 1829 = 5 years, 4 months and 15 days,
    Gabriel lived in 9 different places: Lyon, Saint Claude, Jeurre, Courtefontaine, Ménestruel,
    Châtillon sur Ch., Brénod, Champdor and Hauteville.    

         PHASE THE OF BELMONT: Since November 4th, 1829 to September 7th, 1840
                               (but with 1 absences of 14 months and a half) 

    From July, 1830 to November, 1831, Gabriel closes the boarding school and goes to CHAMPDOR for a second time,
    as a administrator of the Baron of Montillet, during 13 months. He goes back to Belmont at the end of October, 1831.                   

  1834 from March 15th to April 30th    Gabriel is in Vourles during one month and a half.
  1835. April 23rd       6th taking of habits.
  1835. May 6th      7th taking of habits.
  1836. May 19th    8th taking of habits.
  1838. November 3rd    Brother Gabriel takes the solemn vows.

   Brother Gabriel has remained 9 years and 8 months in Belmont.  

          IN BELLEY: Since September 7th, 1840 to November 24th, 1864

   1840   September 7th     In the greenhouse of the bishop during 1 month.
   1840   October 6th           Chapitre Street.   
   1840   October 28th     9th taking of habits
   1841 Since May 17th to ends of August     ROMA.

   1841   October 7th

     10th taking of habits.
   1841   October 18th     TURIN.
   1842   October     TURIN.                                                      
   1843   October       TURIN
   1847   May     TURIN.
   1849    March 10th      Accompanies 3 Brother to ARS. He had already met St. Priest in July, 1837. 
   1850   Since June 17th to August 4th

    Gabriel is in ROMA and at the end of August

    At the end of the year 1842: There are 42 Brothers.   

          IN TAMIÉ:  One Community of Brothers during 5 years, 5 months and 12 days.                

    1856   May 1st     He arrives to TAMIÉ.
   1861   October 12th     The Brothers leave Tamié.
   
   1864   November 24th     Thursday: Brother Gabriel’s deathin BELLEY: He was 65 years and 23 days.

:             Briefly, He lived in: Belleydoux: 22 years and 9 months; Plagne: 1 year;   Châtillon en Michaille: 10 months;  St. Claude: 10 months and 10  days; Jeurre: 14 months and a half; Courtefontaine: 4 months, Ménestruel: 2 months, Châtllon sur Chalaronne: 2 months and a half; Brénod: 6 months; Hautevil/e: 2 years; Belmont: 9 years and  8 months; Champdor: 5 months; Vourles, 1 month and a half; Belley, 24 years and 3 months more or less, Tamié; Roma: 5 months; Lyon: nearly one week. nearly

Fr. Robert Ruffier

Dagneux, April 14th, 2005.