History of Lasallian Saints

“Fulfill your ministry with all the affection of your heart.” MEDITATIONS 201.1 History of asallia aints The Catholic Church has beenL formally virtue of martyrdomn S itself. Once a miracle is recognizing saints since the second confirmed, the person is known as Blessed. century, and becoming a saint means that The third and final step before canonization person has lived and been recognized as is having a second miracle attributed to his leading an extraordinary, holy, Christian or her intercession, unless he or she was a life. Becoming a saint is a three-step process martyr. After these three steps, a person is including first being named Venerable; canonized and added to the list of saints. meaning he or she exhibited heroic virtues in their life. The second step is Beatification; This timeline follows the journey of the before being beatified the person must have saintly Brothers of the Christian Schools and a miracle attributed to him or her. A martyr their feast days, beginning with our founder, may be beatified and declared "Blessed" by Saint John Baptist de La Salle.

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We are a Lasallian S Catholicaint university Mary'sWe do this as a proud partner with that is a living expression of the vision 1,000 schools, agencies and universities of John Baptist de La Salle, inspirational that constitute the worldwide Lasallian 17th-century educational innovator, patron educational network. saint of teachers and founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers: excellent quality Understanding the complex and evolving education; respect for the dignity of all nature of higher education in the 21st individuals; inclusive and participatory century, Saint Mary’s University is community; interiority; accessibility; committed to addressing present-day civility; innovation; belief in the presence challenges by striving to remain affordable of a benevolent God; an ecumenical and for the families of our students and through inter-religious openness; solidarity with the distinctiveness in structure and fluidity in poor; and advocacy for those suffering from operation. injustices. 2 This timeline first appeared in OutReach, a Christian Brothers Services publication, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2016. Reprinted with permission from Christian Brothers Services. Saint John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719) Patron of All Teachers of Youth

Canonized May 24, 1900 - Feast day is April 7

Born in Reims, France, on April 30, 1651, into a devout His enterprise met opposition from the ecclesiastical and influential family, John Baptist de La Salle received authorities who resisted the creation of a new form of the tonsure at age 11 and was named Canon of the Reims religious life, a community of consecrated laymen to Cathedral at 16. He completed his theological studies and conduct gratuitous schools "together and by association." was ordained a priest on April 9, 1678. Two years later he The education establishment resented his innovative received a doctorate in theology. Meanwhile he became methods and his insistence on gratuity for all, regardless tentatively involved with a group of rough and barely of whether they could afford to pay. Nonetheless De La literate young men who wanted to establish schools for Salle and his Brothers succeeded in creating a network poor boys. Almost by accident, the young De La Salle of quality schools throughout France that featured gradually assumed the leadership of the small group instruction in the vernacular, students grouped according of lay teachers. Moved by the plight of the poor who to ability and achievement, integration of religious seemed so "far from salvation" either in this world or the instruction with secular subjects, well-prepared teachers next, he determined to put his own talents and advanced with a sense of vocation and mission, and the involvement education at the service of the children "often left to of parents. themselves and badly brought up." To be more effective, he abandoned his family home, moved in with the In addition, De La Salle pioneered programs for training teachers, renounced his position as Canon and his wealth, lay teachers, Sunday courses for working young men, and so formed the community that became known as the and one of the first institutions in France for the care Brothers of the Christian Schools. of delinquents. Worn out by austerities and exhausting labors, he died on April 7, 1719, at Saint Yon near Rouen early on Good Friday, only weeks before his sixty-eighth birthday. 4 Timeline: The Saints

Saint Benilde Romançon Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux 1967 (October 29) 1984 (October 21) 1989 (December 10)

(1805-1862) Feast day is August 13 (1854-1910) Feast day is February 9 (1841-1917) Feast day is January 30

Saint Benilde Romançon Saint Miguel Febres Cordero Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux Saint Benilde Romançon was born in Saint Miguel Febres Cordero was Saint Mutien-Marie Wiaux was born Southern France in 1805, and was quite born in 1854 in Ecuador. His family Louis Wiaux in Belgium in 1841 where an amazing student. By the time he was prominent in politics and though his father was a blacksmith and his was just 14, the De La Salle Christian he was crippled from birth, he was mother helped run a café. Louis Brothers utilized him as a substitute a good student who became a gifted Wiaux joined the De La Salle Christian teacher for their grade school classes. teacher. In 1868, he became the first Brothers, took the name Brother He eventually joined the De La Salle Ecuadorian De La Salle Christian Mutien-Marie and became a grade Christian Brothers in 1820, and was a Brother, despite his family’s urgings, school music and art teacher. He spent good grade school teacher and later a to pursue a different career. Over 58 years at the same school and was high school teacher for teens who had time, he wrote many books and was known and loved for his patience and never attended school before. He was honored for his scholarship by Ecuador religious spirit. a strict disciplinarian, had a strong and Spain. His students admired his religious spirit and inspired many simplicity, directness, concern for them men to join the De La Salle Christian and prayerfulness. He died in Spain Brothers. in 1910 from pneumonia, and today, throughout the United States, several San Miguel Middle Schools that serve inner-city neighborhoods have been named after him as a tribute to his love for teaching and his good work with young students.

The Saints 5 Timeline: The Saints

Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal The Saintly Martyrs Saint Solomon Le Clercq 1999 (November 21) of Turón 2016 (October 16) 1999 (November 21)

(1898-1937) Feast day is January 18 (1934) Feast Day is October 9 (1745-1792) Feast day is September 2

Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal The Saintly Martyrs of Turón Saint Solomon Le Clercq Born Manuel Barbal Cosan, Brother The Spanish Civil War of the 1930s was Saint Solomon Le Clercq was born Jaime grew up in Northern Spain both political and religious, and many in 1745, and was a devoted teacher and joined the De La Salle Christian in political power blamed the troubles and skilled financial manager for the Brothers when he was 19. Brother of the country becoming more modern De La Salle Christian Brothers. He Jaime had hearing difficulties, and on the persuasion of religion. They also lived during the time of the French after teaching for 16 years he left the feared the influence religious leaders Revolution, where the common people classroom to work as a gardener at the had on young people. In October rose up against the royalty of France young Brothers’ training center, known 1934, in the northwest Spanish village and established a more democratic as a House of Formation. A civil war of Turón, the De La Salle Christian form of government. As part of this broke out in Spain in the 1930s and the Brothers defied the ban on teaching revolution, the new leaders made Communist Party that took control religion and openly escorted their times difficult for the official religion blamed the Catholic Church for many students to Sunday Mass. In an attempt - Roman Catholicism and all Catholic of Spain’s troubles. They arrested and to eliminate the religious zeal of the De organizations became illegal. The De killed church leaders and Brother La Salle Christian Brothers, the army La Salle Christian Brothers and their Jamie was among those to suffer this arrested them and their priest chaplain, work was almost fully dismantled as fate in 1937. He refused to deny his and then shot them. Brother Cirilo, 46, a result. The De La Salle Christian religion, saying to the soldiers ordered was the director, Brother Marciano, Brothers refused to swear loyalty to to shoot him, “To die for Christ, my 39, was the cook, Brother Julián was this new government, resulting in them young friends, is to live.” When two 32, and five other De La Salle Christian having to live in secrecy. In 1792, Saint volleys failed to meet their mark, the Brothers were in their twenties. Solomon Le Clercq was arrested by the soldiers dropped their rifles and fled in Saint Cirilo Bertrán government, imprisoned with several panic. The frustrated commander then Saint Marciano José other church leaders and was executed fired five shots at close range and killed Saint Julián Alfredo shortly after imprisonment. Brother Jaime. Saint Victoriano Pio Saint Benjamin Julián Saint Augusto Andrés Saint Benito de Jesús Saint Aniceto Adolfo Saint Inocencio de la Immaculada 6 Canoure, CP Timeline: The Blessed

Blessed Arnold Rèche Blessed Scubilion Rousseau The Blessed Martyrs 1987 (November 1) 1989 (May 2) of Almeria 1993 (October 10)

(1838-1890) Feast day is October 23 (1797-1867) Feast day is September 27 (1936) Feast day is November 16

Blessed Arnold Rèche Blessed Scubilion Rousseau The Blessed Martyrs of Almeria Blessed Brother Arnold Rèche was Blessed Brother Scubilion Rousseau The Catholic Church holds dear born in 1838 to a poor family in France. was born 1797. As a teenager, he anyone who endures the loss of Growing up, he worked as a stable volunteered to teach religion classes life because of their Christian boy, coachman and construction and eventually joined the De La Salle witness. During the first centuries worker. He was drawn to the De La Christian Brothers in Paris in 1822. of Christianity, this was the fate of Salle Christian Brothers because of When he was 36, he left France to thousands of early followers of Jesus, his religious spirit and joined them pursue missionary work. For the next and sadly, this has happened in every in 1862, when he was 34. He learned 34 years, Brother Rousseau worked century since the time of Jesus. In the math, science, agriculture and religion among the enslaved natives of the 1930s, many were executed in Spain while teaching at a boarding school in island of Réunion off the coast of because they were religious leaders. Reims, the town in which the founder Madagascar, and was dearly loved by In 1936, seven De La Salle Christian of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the people of this island nation for his Brothers in Almería, Spain, were Saint John Baptist de La Salle, grew kindness and devotion to his students. arrested and condemned for teaching up. When France was at war in the He was primarily a catechist, a teacher the Catholic faith. They were: 1870s, he cared for the wounded from of religion, but in his later years, he Brother José Cecilio Rodríguez González both sides. He had an amazing ability visited the sick, won sinners over to Brother Amalio Zariquiegui Mendoza to sense what others were thinking Christianity and was highly respected Brother Valerio Bernardo Herrero Martínez and the De La Salle Christian Brothers everywhere on the island as a living Brother Edmigio Primo Rodríguez remembered him saying often that saint among the people. He died in Brother Evencio Ricardo Alonso Uyarra the Holy Spirit of God “strengthens 1867. Brother Aurelio María Villalón Acebrón a person’s heart.” When he died in Brother Teodomiro Joaquin Sáiz Sáiz Reims in 1890, he had a reputation for great holiness.

The Blessed 7 Timeline: The Blessed

The Blessed Martyrs The Blessed Martyrs Blessed Leonardo José of the Rochefort of Valencia 2007 (October 28) 1995 (October 1) 2001 (March 11)

(1794) Feast day is September 2 (1936) Feast Day is July 1 (1886-1936) Feast day is November 6

The Blessed Martyrs of the The Blessed Martyrs of Valencia Blessed Leonardo José Rochefort Brothers Roger, Léon and Five De La Salle Christian Brothers Born José María Aragonés Mateu in Uldaric lived in France in the 1790s, the lived in Spain during the days when Tarragona, Spain, on May 21, 1886. years of revolution in that country. All the government was persecuting He studied at the seminary and religious leaders were required to sign those who were Christian, and often while at the College of Tarragona an oath of allegiance to the government executing anyone who was a Christian decided to become a Brother of the which would be more binding on a leader. Brother Florencio Martín was Christian Schools. In 1910, he entered person than his or her allegiance to kind, optimistic and talented in art the Novitiate in Burgos. He was sent the Catholic Church. Many priests, and music. Brother Bertrán Franciso to Catalonia, where he began his brothers and religious sisters refused was steady, frugal, patient, modest apostolate and in 1914 was appointed to sign such an oath. Some fled the and hard-working. Brother Ambrosio deputy director of a boarding school in country, some were arrested, put in León was a competent, distinguished Barcelona. In 1928, Brother Leonardo prison and even tortured. In 1794, 827 and highly respected teacher. Brother became Brother Visitor of the District, of these prisoners endured months Elias Julián was a simple person always where he served for eight years until of captivity on two boats –no bigger willing to serve. Brother Honorato August 8, 1936, when he was detained than large pontoons. Brothers Roger, Andrés was quiet, thoughtful and by the militia and executed. He was Léon and Uldaric were three of the understanding. These men had been beatified in 2007 along with 487 other 542 who died on these boats as victims working peacefully in the educational martyrs of the Spanish Civil War. of suffering for their faith during the ministries of the De La Salle Christian French Revolution. Brothers near Barcelona and because of persecution there, they fled to Valencia so they could continue their service. When the authorities discovered these five were professed De La Salle Christian Brothers, they were arrested and executed.

8 Timeline: The Blessed

Blessed Raphael-Louis Blessed Brothers of The Blessed Brothers of Rafiringa Barcelona the Community of 2009 (June 7) 2007 (October 28) Santa Cruz de Mudela (Process of Ciudad Real) 2007 (October 10)

(1856-1919) Feast day is May 19 (1936) Feast day is November 6 (1936) Feast day is November 6

Blessed Raphael-Louis Rafiringa The Blessed Brothers of Barcelona The Blessed Brothers of the Blessed Brother Raphael-Louis In 1936, there were 32 Lasallian Community of Santa Cruz de Rafiringa was born to an upper class, ministries in Catalonia. All were Mudela but pagan family in Antananarivo, forcibly abandoned when the religious In 1936, Santa Cruz de Mudela was a Madagascar. At 10 years of age, he was persecution became violent. Many small town in the province of Ciudad one of the first students at a school were pillaged and some burned. De Real. There was a school run by five De opened by the De La Salle Christian La Salle Christian Brothers from 26 La Salle Christian Brothers. In 1936, Brothers in Madagascar. In 1869, communities were executed. Brother a group of militia overran the school he was baptized, in 1876 he entered Leonardo José, Visitor, and Brother and arrested the De La Salle Christian the Institute of the Brothers of the Dionisio Luis, Director of the La Salle Brothers. They were taken to a prison Christian Schools and in 1879, he made Bononova College, were in the Cerdaña to be tormented and humiliated. the Annual Profession. When the area when they learned of the sad Several times a day they were forced foreign missionaries were expelled news. They tried to get to Barcelona to sweep the public square while being from the island, he was elected and Cambrils to be close to the De insulted and verbally abused. Forced Chief of the Catholic Union for all La Salle Christian Brothers and to to do military marches while singing Madagascar. He went on to teach, those in formation, but were arrested, Marxist slogans, their faces were work, write and compose music. He shot, and killed in Traverseras. Today slapped. A group of militia showed up was honored with the Medal of the their remains are at San Martin de and demanded to see the De La Salle Civil Merit for his successful efforts to Sasgayolas. The other 95 De La Salle Christian Brothers and other prisoners normalize relations between France Christian Brothers of the District (including five priests) – all of whom and Madagascar. suffered the same fate. The youngest were executed at midnight in the was only 18 years old, while the oldest cemetery at Valdepeñas. was 60. Forty-four of these De La Salle Christian Brothers are included in this canonical process.

9 Timeline: The Blessed

The Blessed Brothers of The Blessed Brothers of the Process the Community of Lorca of Madrid n. 1 and Madrid n. 2 (Process of Cartagena) 2013 (October 13) 2007 (October 28)

(1936) Feast day is November 6 (1936) Feast Day is November 6

The Blessed Brothers of the The Blessed Brothers of the Process The Blessed Brothers of the Process Community of Lorca of Madrid n. 1 of Madrid n. 2 Five De La Salle Christian Brothers In the Griñón community, there was a The community of Editorial Bruño were in their community at the San juniorate, novitiate, scholasticate and was a printing house that published José elementary school in Lorca, a a house for sick De La Salle Christian textbooks composed by De La Salle town in Murcia. In 1936, a group of Brothers. One day, a group of militia Christian Brothers but often used 20 militia invaded the house and invaded the property. There were 10 in state schools. One day, a group of searched all of the rooms for weapons De La Salle Christian Brothers there communist militia went to the house and money. Finding neither, the militia at the time. They were forced to line and pretended to inspect it looking arrested the De La Salle Christian up in front of the chapel while militia for arms and money. This was only an Brothers anyway. After unsuccessfully destroyed sacred images, objects and excuse. Without any explanation, they being able to testify and be set free, the furniture. The De La Salle Christian pushed the eight De La Salle Christian De La Salle Christian Brothers were Brothers and a house employee were Brothers who were there into a jeep, taken to a mountain where there were executed because of their religious drove them to Casa de Campo (part sulphur mines. They were shot by beliefs, their bodies left outside on of Madrid), and killed them. Also militia and their bodies were thrown the ground. A group of townspeople included in this canonical process are into a deep sulphur pool, now known and a judge later helped identify the another eight De La Salle Christian as the “pool of martyrs.” bodies and bury them on the De La Brothers from different communities. Salle Christian Brothers’ property. Included in this canonical process are eight other De La Salle Christian Brothers from the Asilo Sagrado Corazón community and three from the Camberi community.

10 Timeline: The Blessed

The Blessed Brothers of Tarragona The Blessed Brothers De La Salle Christian Brothers in Tarragona from 1952-1959 belonged of Tarragona to different Brothers’ communities. When persecution became fierce, 2013 (October 13) they were forced to find refuge wherever they could to avoid the danger of being discovered or denounced. Six De La Salle Christian Brothers pretended to be tourists and took refuge at the National Hotel of Tarragona. They were discovered and executed together with the owner of the hotel who had given them hospitality. An employee from the house of the De La Salle Christian Brothers was forced to shoot two other Brothers of Cambrils even though he refused. Other De La Salle Christian Brothers were arrested and taken to prison where groups of them were shot each day. There are 39 total De La Salle Christian Brothers included in this canonical process.

(1952-1959) Feast Day is November 6

Timeline: The Servant of God

Brother James Santiago Miller students. Aware of the oppression of Brother James Santiago The Vatican will formally hear the the indigenous people of Guatemala Miller cause of the beatification of alumnus and their need to be trained in Servant of God Brother James (Santiago) Miller, job skills and leadership skills, FSC ’66, M’74, in spring of 2018. he helped begin an experimental An American missionary, Brother farm where indigenous students James was killed in Huehuetenango, learned agricultural methods and Guatemala, on Feb. 13, 1982. improvements. More importantly, he prepared native leaders for rural Brother James is often remembered areas who would work for collective for the way his life ended. A life development in their villages. ended too soon, Brother James was only 37 when he was shot and The cause of beatification was killed by three masked gunmen undertaken by the Diocese of as he was mending a wall outside Huehuetenango, Guatemala, in 2009 a school where he worked. After and received the Decree of Validity graduating from Saint Mary’s, in Rome in July 2010 when Brother Brother James taught high school in James was designated a “Servant (1944-1982) the Midwest for several years before of God” and a martyr for the faith. going to Nicaragua and eventually Because he is considered a martyr, a Guatemala. miracle would not be necessary for At the Casa Indigena school, Brother his possible beatification, but will be James taught English, religion and necessary for canonization, or the Guatemalan art to secondary level full declaration of sainthood. 11