Joseph-Marie Timon-David was a priest of Marseilles, concerned with the well-being of young workers. He observed that most of the young people had not received a basic religious training from their parents.[2] He worked for some time with the Youth Movements of Abbé Julien, and then with Fatherr Allemand who worked with the lower middle class.[3] In 1849, Bishop Eugène de Mazenod encouraged him to establish his own movement.[4]
Following the example of Alexande-Raymond Devie, Bishop of Belley, Timon-David sought to simplify religious education and often used biblical stories, insisting on "education through the heart".[5]
