Tuesday 7 April 2020

# Feast # Saints

Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

Official portrait of de La Salle by Pierre Leger

The 7th of April is the feast day of Saint Jean Baptiste de La Salle (30, April, 1651 – 7, April, 1719). He is the patron saint of the Teachers of Youth, (May 15, 1950, Pius XII), Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Lasallian educational institutions, educators, school principals, and teachers.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle was born in Rheims, France to noble parents. He was a smart and pious boy, and he entered the seminary when he was 27 years old. During his era good education was only accessible by the noble and wealthy class. He established a home and school for illiterate orphan boys which became very successful and a second one was started. He dedicated his life to educating, and gave his wealth to the poor, resigning his position as canon at Rheims. He trained men to become teachers in free schools for the poor. This became the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as Christian Brothers. They did not take the vow of Holy Orders but took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The Christian Brothers sent men as schoolmasters in villages in parts of France. His method of education became standard in France and spread internationally.

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