Born at Bourg-d’Oisans (Isère), July 16, 1811
Taking of the habit at St. Just May 17, 1829
Oblation at Marseilles, May 17, 1830 (no. 41)
Dispensed from his vows in December 1831.

Jean Louis Stanislas Mazet, born in Bourg-d’Oisans diocese of Grenoble, July 16, 1811 was only a fleeting presence in the Congregation. He was a novice from May 17, 1829 to May 17, 1830 at Saint-Just Just and in Marseilles. He subsequently began his theological studies at Billens in Switzerland in August of 1830. February 20 of 1831, the Founder wrote to Father Mille at Billens concerning the illness of this brother which he considers serious without specifying the nature of the illness. He stated: “If the danger were so grave that it cannot be avoided by either course, I would not hesitate to say it would be better for him to finish his days amongst his brothers and with all the helps that the practice of religion affords to its children,” (Letters to the Oblates of France, 1831-1836, Oblate Writings I, vol. 8, no. 385, p. 14). He advises sending him to Notre-Dame du Laus or home to his family if the medical doctors thought that he could recover.

Brother Mazet was sent to Laus where his condition worsened. December 8, 1831, Father de Mazenod told Father Mille: “As Mazet’s sleepwalking habit is still so strong, on several occasions there have been instances of his reading and writing in pitch darkness, and as the doctors have assured me that if a cure is possible it would not be before his is fifty, the Council has discerned in this condition a more than sufficient reason for dispensation. Judgment has thus been pronounced.” (Letters to the Oblates of France, 1831-1836, Oblate Writings I, vol. 8, no. 385, p. 14)

In the Registry of the taking of the habit, the Founder wrote beside his name: “Much against his will, he was dispensed from his vows because of an acute case of sleepwalking which would have prevented him from being admitted to Holy Orders and which was disturbing the good order of the communities where this poor young man was living.”

Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.