Saint John Baptist De La Salle Biography
Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools,
Patron of Christian Teachers
John Baptist de La Salle was born into a world very different from our own.
He was the first son of wealthy parents living in France over 325
years ago. Born at Reims, John Baptist de La Salle received the tonsure
at age
eleven
and was named Canon of the Reims Cathedral at sixteen. Though he had
to assume the administration of family affairs after his parents died,
he completed
his theological studies and was ordained a priest on April 9, 1678.Two
years later he received a doctorate in theology. Meanwhile he became
tentatively involved with a group of rough and barely literate young
men in order
to
establish schools for poor boys.
At that time a few people lived in luxury, but most of the people were
extremely poor: peasants in the country, and slum dwellers in the
towns. Only, a few could send their children to school; most children had
little hope for the future. Moved by the plight of the poor who seemed
so "far
from salvation" either in this world or the next, he determined to put
his own talents and advanced education at the service of the children "often
left to themselves and badly brought up." To be more effective, he
abandoned his family home, moved in with the teachers, renounced his position
as Canon
and his wealth, and so formed the community that became known as
the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
His enterprise met opposition from
the ecclesiastical authorities who resisted
the creation of a new form of religious life, a community of consecrated
laymen to conduct gratuitous schools "together and by association." The
educational establishment resented his innovative methods and his insistence
on gratuity for all, regardless of whether they could afford to pay.
Nevertheless De La Salle and his Brothers succeeded in creating a network
of quality schools
throughout France that featured instruction in the vernacular, students
grouped according to ability and achievement, integration of religious
instruction with secular subjects, well-prepared teachers with a sense of
vocation
and
mission, and the involvement of parents. In addition, De La Salle pioneered
in programs for training lay teachers, Sunday courses for working young
men, and one of the first institutions in France for the care of delinquents.
Worn out by austerities and exhausting labors, he died at Saint Yon
near
Rouen early in 1719 on Good Friday, only weeks before his sixty-eighth
birthday.
John Baptist de La Salle was a pioneer in founding training colleges
for teachers, reform schools for delinquents, technical schools,
and secondary schools for modern languages, arts, and sciences. His
work quickly spread
through France and, after his death, continued to spread across the
globe. In 1900 John Baptist de La Salle was declared a Saint. In
1950, because of
his life and inspirational writings, he was made Patron Saint of
all those who work in the field of education. John Baptist de La Salle
inspired others
how to teach and care for young people, how to meet failure and frailty
with compassion, how to affirm, strengthen and heal. At the present
time there
are De La Salle schools in 80 different countries around the globe.
Born at Reims, France April 30, 1651
Ordained priest April 9, 1678
Died April 7, 1719
Beatified February 19, 1888
Canonized May 24, 1900
Proclaimed Patron of Christian Teachers May 15, 1950
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