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St. John Baptiste de la Salle John Baptiste De La Salle was born in Rheims in 1651. He expressed an interest in the priesthood from an early age and, having completed his early studies at home, he later attended the Seminary of St. Sulpice and was ordained a priest in 1678. The next year, De La Salle, after a chance meeting with a man named Adrian Nyel, found himself assisting a small band of unskilled schoolteachers who were struggling to provide free education in Rheims for children of the poor, who would otherwise be left to roam the streets.
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that time, in France, education was available only to the children
of the wealthy who could afford to pay for it. In order to identify
with the teachers and with those they were trying to educate, the
young Fr. De La Salle disposed of his personal wealth by providing
bread for the poor during a time of severe famine. From then on he
devoted himself totally to forming a community of consecrated lay
teachers committed completely to the work of the schools. From the beginning, De La Salle insisted that the Brothers, (as they began to call themselves), would cultivate two essential spirits: firstly, a spirit of faith in God's continuing presence and support and secondly, a spirit of zeal for the care and education of the young children entrusted to them. Despite much opposition from the educational and church authorities, De La Salle and his Brothers were able to establish a network of quality schools that transformed the system of Primary education in France. He introduced new teaching methods, a practical curriculum, enlightened discipline and a personal concern for each student. In addition, De La Salle was a pioneer in establishing centres for training lay teachers and practical educational programmes for young children at risk. At the time of his death in 1719, there were over one hundred Brothers teaching in some thirty schools throughout France. John Baptist de la Salle was canonised in 1900 and in 1952 he was named Patron of all teachers.
De La Salle Brothers in Ireland The Brothers have been associated with education in Ireland for more than a century. During that time they have been involved in Primary and Secondary Schools both Boarding and Day - Special Schools, Teacher Training and more recently in directing School Retreats. An important feature of their history has been the many Irish Brothers who have given such outstanding and devoted service on the mission fields, notably in Malaysia, Australia, South Africa and Nigeria. During the past two decades, however, the De La Salle Brothers, in common with all other Religious Congregations have experienced a sharp decline in vocations. This, together with a deliberate change in educational policy has caused them to rethink and adapt the nature of their involvement in schools. So, the brothers have withdrawn completely from certain schools, continue to work with lay Principals in others, while, in a few schools they are involved in Management only. However, all Lasallian Schools are seen as a network where the Brothers co-operate with the various associated groups in building up vibrant Lasallian Education Communities. |
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