Life and Works of Saint John Baptist De

8/9/2019 Life and Works of Saint John Baptist De

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He was born on April 30, 1651.

At the age of 11, St. John Baptist De La

Salle received the TonsureHe was named Canon of the Reims

Cathedral at the age of 16.

He had completed his theological studiesand was ordained priest on April 9, 1678

In order to establish schools for poor

boys, he was tentatively involved with a

group of rough and barely literate youngmen.


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Died on April 7, 1719 Good Friday,

weeks before his 68th birthday.

Canonized by Pope Leo XIII on May 24,1900

He was proclaimed as the Patron Saint of

Teachers on May 15, 1950 by Pope PiusXII.


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October 18, 1670 - he was sent to Paris to enter the seminary of SaintSulpice. -attends the Theology lesson in Sorbonne.

- Under Louis Tronson. He made such rapid progress in virtue.

M. Lechassier -superior general of the Congregation of Saint-Sulpice,

renders this testimony of him: "De la Salle was a constant observer of the

rule. His conversation was always pleasing and above reproach. He seems

never to have given offence to any one, nor to have incurred any one'scensure."

Distinguished himself by his piety as well as by the vigour of his

intellectual progress and the ability with which he

handled theological subjects.

July 19, 1671- his mother died

April 9, 1672- his father died Due to this circumstance, he was obliged to leave St. Sulpice on April 19,

1672.

At the age of 21, whole attention was devoted to his domestic affairs and

he provided for every circumstance by his discreet, businesslike

administration. Due mental struggles, he recourse and the guidance of

discreet advisers.


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When not occupied with the duties of his canonry or withhis theological studies, he was engaged in good works,under the guidance of his spiritual director.

At the age of 25, he was ordained deacon at Paris, 21 March,1676, by Franois Batailler. Bishop of Bethlehem. -to obtain the permission of Maurice Le Telleir,

Archbishop of Reims, to resign his canonry and preparefor parish work.

Maurice Le Tellier-his archbishop, refused to his request.Then he gets back to Reims to make preparation for his

ordination to priesthood. April 9, 1678- he was ordained priest by archbishop of

Reims. The young priest was a model of piety, person went to assist

at his Mass to be edified, and to share his piety he neveromitted Holy Mass. After Mass there were many who sought

his counsel and put themselves under his spiritual guidance. June 1680 he submitted his final examination as Doctorate

in Theology. At this period of his life de la Salle evinced a docility

of spirit, a self-diffidence that bespoke the character of theman and saint.


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The eldest childrenHis parents care for him regard to moral

and intellectual development

His mother wants the profession of law to

maintain the family tradition

He wants to serve the church

He received tonsure on 11 March 1662

He completed Classical, Literary andPhilosophical courses


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He was sent to Seminary of Sulpice

9 months after arrival in Paris(July 19

1671) his mother diedHis father died on April 9 1672

He was 21 years old- head of the family

Responsible for educating his siblingsHe focuses his attention to domestic

affairs

Rouen-free school for orphan boys


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Established schools for Poor Boys He is a pioneer in founding training colleges for

teachers. Reform schools for delinquents, technical

schools, and secondary schools for modernlanguages, arts, and sciences.

He is a profound thinker, a genius in the work ofpopular education. He embraced all classes, allconditions of society. By making the free schools

popular. He grasped the growing needs of society in his

own day and for all times. No phase of theeducational problem escaped his penetratingvision.


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His work quickly spread through Franceand, after his death, continued to spread

across the globe.The educational establishment resented his

innovative methods and his insistence ongratuity for all, regardless of whether theycould afford to pay.

Nevertheless De La Salle and his Brotherssucceeded in creating a network of qualityschools throughout France that featuredinstruction in the vernacular, students

grouped according to abilityAchievement, integration of religiousinstruction with secular subjects, well-prepared teachers with a sense of vocationand mission, and the involvement of parents.


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De La Salle was named Canon of the Reims Cathedral, a

position of great honor and financial benefit, and one that

placed him on a course for high ecclesiastical power.

After his return to Rheims he was to discover his true life

workthe education of the poor.

He became involved with in teaching poor children in parish

charity schools for the poor to be well educated, and

focused his life on this.

Led by God from one commitment to another, De La Salle

gradually found himself immersed in the world of the poor

and their desperate need for education.

Challenged by his Brothers to rely on Providence, he

resigned his canonry in Reims and, over the next 30 years,

established a wide array of institutions to meet the needs of

the poor in France.


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De La Salle was regarded as an educationalinnovator because of his insistence that childrenbe taught practical subjects and religion in their

native tongue rather than Latin. The Institute grew rapidly, and soon there were

so many applications from young men of fifteento twenty years of age that a junior novitiate wasformed.

He was, above all, a visionary who consideredschools as communities of faith.

Teachers are ambassadors of Christ andministers of grace, he later wrote, who stand ina providential and privileged relationship with

their students. Six years after his death, the Christian Brothers'

institute was recognized by Pope Benedict XIII,and its rule approved.

Documents

Life and Works of Saint John Baptist De