St.

John Baptist de La Salle

Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Patron of Christian Teachers
Father of Modern Education

Born at Reims into a devout and influential family, 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 priest on 9 April, 1678.
Two years later he received the doctorate in theology. Meanwhile he
became tentatively involved with a group of rough and barely literate
young men who wanted to establish schools for poor boys. Almost
by accident, the young De La Salle gradually assumed the
leadership of the small group of lay teachers. 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 school "together and by
association." The education establishment resented his innovative
methods and his insistence on gratuity for all, regardless of whether
they could afford to pay. Nonetheless 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 on Good Friday, only weeks before his sixty-eighth
birthday.
Significant information

Feast Day/Memorial 7 April

Born Rheims, France, 30 April 1651

Died Rouen, France, 7 April 1719

Ordained Priest 9 April 1678

Beatified 19 February 1888

Canonized 24 May 1900

Proclaimed Patron of Christian Teachers 15 May 1950

Name Meaning God is gracious (= John)

Patronage educators, school principals, teachers

First Steps on Lifes Path

Born in Reims, France, into an influential family on April 30, 1651, John Baptist de La Salle decided
early on to become a priest. His parents died when he was 20 and De La Salle became responsible for
the family estate and took care of his six younger brothers and sisters while completing his studies.

He was ordained in 1678, and two years later he received his doctorate in theology. While serving as
a Canon in the Cathedral of Reims, a chance encounter with a layman establishing schools for poor
boys set him on a new life path. Gradually De La Salle became involved in the project and soon
assumed leadership of a group of rough and barely literate teachers possessing little preparation for
their craft.

God Sets Him on a New Path

His first step on this new path was to invite the teachers into his home for a retreat and some basic
teacher training. Later he moved with the teachers to a new house, renounced his Church position,
gave away his wealth, and formed the community that became known as the Brothers of the Christian
Schools (also known as De La Salle Christian Brothers). God, he said, led him in an imperceptible
way and over a long period of time so that one commitment led to another in a way that I did not
foresee in the beginning. Church authorities resisted this new form of lay religious life, and the
educational establishment resented the Brothers innovative methods and their insistence on
educating people regardless of their ability to pay.

Building a Foundation

In 40 years, De La Salle and his Brothers succeeded in creating a network of schools throughout
France that featured the teaching of reading in French (instead of Latin), students grouped according
to ability, the integration of religious instruction with secular subjects, and well-prepared teachers
with a sense of vocation and mission. De La Salle also pioneered programs for training lay teachers,
Sunday classes for working young men, and one of the first institutions in France for delinquent
youth.

The Mission Carries On

De La Salle died near Rouen on Good Friday, April 7, 1719, with 23 active communities and 100
Brothers continuing the mission he set forth. He was canonized a saint in 1900 and named the Patron
Saint of Teachers in 1950. His charism, educational spirituality, and extensive writings inspired
Catholic educators in his own time and continue to inspire educators from many traditions today.