St. John Baptist De La Salle FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

St. John Baptist de La Salle FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

Who was John Baptist de La Salle? Are there Brothers who become priests? He was a French priest in the 17th century Early on, De La Salle and the Brothers who came from a well-to-do family and decided that they would best serve their was on the fast-track of a priestly career mission by concentrating entirely on the when he became involved with a group of ministry of teaching. The only priest in the men who were teaching poor children in order was him. Today, the Brothers remain parish charity schools. Within about five the largest group of lay religious men in the years he became completely devoted to the Church devoted exclusively to education. education of these children and to the training of these men, Those who are called to priestly ministry, along with teaching, forming them into a dedicated, competent, committed, and holy will find very good religious orders that do so. The Brothers group of educators whose whole lives were dedicated to the bring the Gospel to the educational world with singleness of ministry of teaching, to the students entrusted to their care, to devotion and purpose, solely through teaching ministry. each other, and through all of these ... to God. Some quotations from the writings of De La Salle Did he want to get involved in education? • “Be satisfied with what you can do, since this satisfies God, No, he got involved without meaning to do so. Much later in his but do not spare yourself in what you can do with the help of life, De La Salle said that if he had known what his charitable grace. Be convinced that, provided you are willing, you can do help with those first schoolmasters would have led to, he would more with the help of God’s grace than you imagine.” have dropped the whole thing immediately. But, he says, God • “Most Christians regard decorum and civility only as human “who guides all things with wisdom and serenity, whose way it qualities, and do not realize that these virtues can relate us to is not to force the inclinations of persons, willed to commit me God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves.” entirely to the development of the schools. He did this in an • “Generosity is the motive power of all noble actions, and imperceptible way and over a long period of time so that one perhaps the germ of all virtues.” commitment led to another in a way that I did not foresee in the • “The twelve virtues of the good teacher are gravity, silence, beginning.” humility, prudence, wisdom, patience, reserve, meekness, zeal, vigilance, piety, and generosity.” What happened once he did get involved? • “You too can perform miracles by touching the hearts of the Once involved, he gave away his wealth and became fully children confided to your care.” associated with the Brothers and with education. In the process, he wrote a school handbook that became a standard for Catholic The Patron of Teachers in the Catholic Church education throughout Europe, a set of meditations for teachers, John Baptist de La Salle was canonized as a saint on May 15, textbooks for students in the areas of reading, politeness, 1900, and his statue stands in the middle of nave of St. Peter’s religious education, and many other works. By the end of his in Rome (right side, top level). Exactly fifty years later, in life in 1719 there were some 23 houses of Brothers teaching 1950, Pope Pius XII declared him to be the “Special Patron of throughout France and a large body of educational writings. The All Teachers of Youth” in the Catholic Church. Today, educational movement that he began continues to be shaped by throughout the Lasallian world, May 15th is the day when his his life, his writings, and his inspirational presence. legacy, his heritage, and his charism are celebrated. The Lasallian Educational Network

St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651 – 1719) began an Lasallian educational spirituality arose from the experience educational heritage of more than 300 years that ranges from of De La Salle and the early Brothers, developed through 300 store-front schools to great universities in over 80 countries. years of expansion among many cultures, and forms the core He is the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools of today’s Lasallian schools and agencies. It is a spirituality (known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers in the United that has the school as its setting, the teacher as its focus, and States) and is the inspiration for some 77,000 educators in the salvific potential of education as its inspiration. Elements Lasallian institutions around the world. His writings continue include faith in the presence of God, quality education, to shape what teachers teach, how teachers teach, and why concern for the poor and social justice, life through Jesus teachers teach. He is the Patron Saint of All Teachers of Youth Christ, and a respect for all persons within an inclusive in the Catholic Church. www.lasalle.org community. www.lasallenetwork.org

The Vocation of the Brothers is a religious commitment to Lasallian Volunteers are dedicated, well-trained men and “association for the service of the poor through education.” women who provide one or more years of service to schools Brothers are men who dedicate their lives to God in the and agencies of the Brothers whose mission is to serve the ministry of education. They are serious about prayer, live a poor. Acting out of faith, rooted in the gospel, and sharing life in common, and are devoted to the lives of young people, community with the Brothers and other Lasallians, the especially the poor. The De La Salle Christian Brothers are the Volunteers empower the poor by personalized service primary largest group of lay religious men in the Catholic Church who through education. Lasallian Volunteers change the world for are dedicated exclusively to education. the better and discover themselves transformed in the process. www.brothersvocation.org www.lasallianvolunteers.org

Lasallian Education around the world includes both formal Lasallian Institutions in the United States comprise a wide institutions (64 colleges/universities, 900 primary/secondary spectrum of instituions and agencies. These include 7 Colleges schools, etc.) and innovative programs that reach out to those / Universities, 54 High Schools, 13 Middle Schools, 17 “San in need (30 vans in France to teach Gypsy children, a youth- Miguel” Schools, 3 Cristo Rey High Schools, and 5 elemen- crisis phone line in Australia that receives 30,000 calls a week, tary schools. There are also many programs that address Catalyst Charter schools in Chicago, etc.). In non-Christian special educational needs, such as court-adjudicated youth, countries, Lasallian schools quietly witness to God’s Presence after school care, and residential supervision. New schools in all our lives and present Christ’s example in action. We are and educational outreach efforts continue to be established present in 84 countries around the world. www.lasalle.org every year. www.cbconf.org

“People are hungry, especially the young. The Brothers have “demonstrated permanency “Union in a community is a precious gem, They are hungry for God and you by providing for over three centuries an which is why Our Lord so often are here to satisfy that hunger. astonishing array of activities from the most basic recommended it to his apostles before he died. Be faithful to the great gift that God made literacy learning to the most complicated If we lose this, we lose everything. you to be teachers, educators, light, technological learning for both children and adults . . Preserve it with care, therefore, if you want His light in the world among young people. . so that they can be fully integrated your community to survive.” The future of the world depends on what you do.” into community and society.”

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize)

The Lasallian Educational Network

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize) Lasallian Spirituality FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

For More Information: www.lasallenetwork.org Characteristics of Lasallian Schools “Touching the Hearts of Students” With Practical Orientation: De La Salle recognized the real needs of youth and taught The Lasallian spirituality of education calls by Br. George Van Grieken, FSC forth ten attributes, qualities, priorities, or what they needed to function in society. [email protected] Lasallian teachers prepare students for their what are perhaps best called basic operative & commitments that come from the writings of vocation and profession, for their personal life The publications section of St. John Baptist de La Salle and are evident in commitments, and for service to society and the lived experience of Lasallian schools over www.lasalle.org the Church. Lasallian Schools are realistic in the past 300+ years. their approach, methodology, and goals. “What do the students need?” is the rule. Centered in and Nurtured by the Life of Faith: De La Salle's Devoted to Education, Accessible and Comprehensive: De La overriding concern in all that he did was the life of faith, the Salle provided an education that was available to all who desired reality of God's saving presence in the midst of daily experience. it and that comprehensively prepared youth to participate in their Lasallian teachers readily share their faith life with their society. Lasallian teachers affirm that education consists of more students, both in their zeal for education and in their daily than facts, figures and skills; that true education forms a person personal encounters. God's presence gradually becomes an towards Christian maturity and responsible character. Lasallian evermore living and appreciated reality. Schools intentionally educate a diverse range of students and Trusting Providence in Discerning God's Will: De La Salle provide a wide-ranging, comprehensive curriculum. confidently rested in a complete and radical trust in God's Committed to the Poor: De La Salle's concern was for the providential care for him, for the Institute, and for its work of poor, the neglected and the overlooked. Lasallian teachers give education. Lasallian teachers share this radical trust by recogniz- greater attention to the neglected, to the marginalized, and to the ing God's face in every school or classroom situation. The work less appealing students. Service projects and outreach programs is God's work, first and last. bring the poor's voice into the lives of students. Lasallian With Creativity and Courage: De La Salle's commitment to Schools are schools where programs that address the educational the Christian Schools led him to make bold, creative moves in needs of the poor are an evident, clear priority. response to God's Will. Lasallian teachers demonstrate the Working in Association: De La Salle's efforts with teachers creativity of God's Love through their daily resourcefulness and became more and more effective as he united them into a group resilience, imagination and determination, ingenuity and with a common vision, a shared mission. Lasallian teachers persistence. The continual pursuit of innovative educational come together as brothers and sisters associated with bonds of programs is the rule, not the exception. mutual respect, cooperation, generosity, patience, humor, and Through the Agency of the Holy Spirit: De La Salle often humility. Lasallian Schools are not autonomous schools but prayed to the Holy Spirit for guidance and urged his teachers to operate in collaboration with others to accomplish their ministry do the same. Christ's life is brought into the school by Lasallian of education “together and by association.” teachers who are animated by the Spirit and willing to act Expressing a Lay Vocation: De La Salle established a group accordingly. In a Lasallian School, the challenging, unpredict- of teachers who were to be dedicated to teaching as "Brothers" able, hidden life of the Spirit is given attention and is heeded. without directly being part of the clerical structures of the Incarnating Christian Paradigms and Dynamics: De La Salle Church. Lasallian teachers reach out to their students in educated the young in order to make God's saving presence a companionship, as older brothers and sisters, guiding their reality in their lives. Teachers seek and reveal God's presence in developing life of faith and modeling the identity of a lay person the minutiae of the exercise of their ministry, seeing Jesus Christ in the Church. Lasallian Schools advance the role of the laity in in their students, teaching, and goal. In a Lasallian School, the Church by educating towards responsible, active participa- Gospel maxims and Gospel norms provide the basis upon which tion in the life of the Church as a member of the Body of Christ. its organizational and relational structure is built. Brothers share in that lay character and are shaped by it. The Lasallian Educational Network

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize) Lasallian Education in the USA

FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

ARIZONA MONTANA NEW YORK San Miguel High School – Tucson, AZ De La Salle Blackfeet School – Browning, MT Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School – Brooklyn, NY Christian Brothers Academy – Albany, NY CALIFORNIA NEBRASKA Christian Brothers Academy – Syracuse, NY Cathedral High School – Los Angeles, CA Roncalli High School – Omaha, NE Cristo Rey High School – New York, NY Christian Brothers High School – Sacramento, CA George Jackson School – New York, NY Christian Brothers Ranch – Napa, CA NEW MEXICO Highbridge Community Life Center – Bronx, NY De La Salle Chapel – San Jose, CA College of Santa Fe – Santa Fe, NM Holy Names of Jesus School – New York, NY De La Salle High School – Concord, CA Sangre de Cristo Center – Santa Fe, NM La Salle Academy – New York, NY De Marillac Academy – San Francisco, CA St. Michael's High School – Santa Fe, NM La Salle Institute – Troy, NY Instituto Fe y Vida – Stockton, CA La Salle School – Albany, NY Justin-Siena High School – Napa, CA NEW JERSEY Manhattan College – Bronx, NY La Salle High School – Pasadena, CA Christian Brothers Academy – Lincroft, NJ Martin De Porres High School – Brooklyn, NY Lasallian Educational Opportunities (LEO) – Oakland, CA De La Salle Hall – Lincroft, NJ Martin De Porres School – Springfield Gardens, NY Latino Adult Institute – Napa, CA Hudson Catholic High School – Jersey City, NJ Saint Gabriel School – East Elmhurst, NY Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory – San Francisco, CA Ocean Rest Educational Center – Ocean City, NJ San Miguel Academy, Newburgh, NY Saint Mary's College High School – Berkeley, CA San Miguel School – Camden, NJ St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute – Buffalo, NY Saint Mary's College of California – Moraga, CA St. Peter's Boys High School – Staten Island, NY St. Raymond Family Outreach Center – Bronx, NY COLORADO St. Raymond High School – Bronx, NY J.K. Mullen High School – Denver, CO OHIO ILLINOIS La Salle High School – Cincinnati, OH Brother David Darst Center – Chicago, IL Catalyst Charter School Howland – Chicago, IL OKLAHOMA Catalyst Charter School Circle Rock – Chicago, IL Bishop Kelly High School – Tulsa, OK CB Investment Services – Oak Brook, IL San Miguel Middle School – Tulsa, OK Christian Brothers Services – Romeoville, IL De La Salle Institute School – Chicago, IL OREGON De La Salle Institute – Lourdes Hall – Chicago, IL De La Salle North Catholic High School – Portland, OR Driscoll Catholic High School – Addison, IL La Salle Catholic College Preparatory – Milwaukie, OR La Salle Manor Retreat Center – Plano, IL Lewis University – Romeoville, IL PENNSYLVANIA Montini Catholic High School – Lombard, IL Christian Brothers Spiritual Center – Philadelphia, PA San Miguel Schools – Back of the Yards – Chicago, IL Central Catholic High School – Pittsburgh, PA San Miguel Schools – Gary Comer – Chicago, IL De La Salle Aftercare – Philadelphia, PA St. Joseph High School – Westchester, IL De La Salle In Towne – Philadelphia, PA St. Patrick High School – Chicago, IL De La Salle Vocational – Philadelphia, PA Tolton Adult Ed. Center – Bee Branch – Chicago, IL La Salle Academy – Philadelphia, PA Tolton Adult Ed. Center – Legler Branch – Chicago, IL La Salle College High School – Wyndmoor, PA La Salle University – Philadelphia, PA LOUISIANA Rousseau Academy – Philadelphia, PA Archbishop Rummel High School – Metairie, LA Saint Gabriel's Hall – Audubon, PA Cathedral-Carmel School – Lafayette, LA Seton-La Salle High School – Pittsburgh, PA Catholic High School – New Iberia, LA West Catholic High School – Philadelphia, PA Christian Brothers School – New Orleans, LA De La Salle High School – New Orleans, LA RHODE ISLAND St. Paul's School – Covington, LA La Salle Academy – Providence, RI Saint Raphael's Academy – Pawtucket, RI MARYLAND San Miguel School – Providence, RI Calvert Hall College – Baltimore, MD The Ocean Tides, Inc. – Narragansett, RI Saint Frances Academy – Baltimore, MD Tides Family Services – West Warwick, RI The Bishop Walsh School – Cumberland, MD The Cardinal Gibbons School – Baltimore, MD TENNESSEE Christian Brothers High School – Memphis, TN MICHIGAN Christian Brothers University – Memphis, TN De La Salle Collegiate – Warren, MI De La Salle at Blessed Sacrament – Memphis, TN Holy Names School – Memphis, TN MINNESOTA Cretin-Derham Hall – St. Paul, MN TEXAS DeLaSalle High School – Minneapolis, MN Cathedral High School – El Paso, TX Dunrovin (Christian Brothers Retreat Center) – St. Croix, MN Holy Family Catholic High School – Victoria, MN WASHINGTON Saint Mary's Press – Winona, MN La Salle High School – Yakima, WA Saint Mary's University of Minnesota – Winona, MN Saint Mary's University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, MN WASHINGTON D.C. San Miguel Middle School of Minneapolis – Minneapolis, MN Saint John's College High School – Washington, D.C. San Miguel Middle School – Washington, DC Totino-Grace High School – Fridley, MN For More Information: www.cbconf.org MISSOURI WISCONSIN www.lasalle.org Roncalli High School – Manitowoc, WI Archbishop O'Hara High School – Kansas City, MO www.lasallenetwork.org Christian Brothers College High School – St. Louis, MO San Juan Diego Middle School – Racine, WI De La Salle at St. Matthew – St. Louis, MO Helias High School – Jefferson City, MO U.S. SPONSORED AND SUPPORTED Holy Family Catholic Worker Community – Kansas City, MO De La Salle College Oaklands – Toronto, Canada La Salle Institute Retreat Center – Wildwood, MO Centro La Salle – Tijuana, Mexico Lasallian Tutors Program – Kansas City, MO Bethlehem University – West Bank, Palestine The Lasallian Educational Network

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize) Lasallian Education Around the World

FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

In 84 Countries The Purpose of Lasallian Education 933 Schools The Motive for Lasallian Education It is the constant desire of those engaged 878,249 Students “to provide a human and Christian in Lasallian education to remain faithful education to the young, especially the 5,322 Brothers to those who are most in need of their poor, according to the ministry which educational services. Such services are the Church has entrusted to it.” 77,361 Teachers (Rule, Art. 3) 64 Colleges / Universities directed to the whole person - taking the person and his/her needs for an effective and fulfilling life as the starting point. The Range of Lasallian Education The Principle of Lasallian Education Quebec, Canada - Reception centers for travellers and drug addicts. The vast majority of Lasallian educational San Gabriel, Bolivia - The teachers of Radio/TV serve 2 million Aymara institutions are fairly traditional schools Indians on the high plateaux children run by Spanish Districts. at all academic levels that provide solid, Abidjan & Byumba, Rwanda - Centers for street children . high-quality, personalized education. Australia - A toll-free telephone service covering the whole of Australia for young people with problems (30,000 calls a week), supported by a finely From that core foundation emerge local, adjusted technology and a major countrywide fundraising system. regional, and national programs that are Alexandria & Cairo, Egypt - 3 centers for the mentally handicapped. able to push the educational envelope Poland - 3 centers for mentally handicapped children. with creativity, courage, and wide-spread France - 5 Brothers and 30 lay persons have created a network of 36 mobile support across the Lasallian world. classrooms (in vans adapted for the purpose), teaching 5,000 Gypsy Some examples: children as they travel around the country and creating a successful teach- * San Miguel Schools ing approach and way of working that is unique to that population. * Charter Schools South India - “Reaching the Unreached” which for the last 30 years has * After School Programs helped and educated local people. Among their accomplishments: 70 * Immersion Programs villages reorganised; 2,000 wells dug; 1,600 family homes built by the * Inner-city Youth Programs local people; work for women (widows looking after orphans); vocational * Literacy Programs schools for adults, and other schools for many groups. * Inter-faith Dialogue Kushpur, Pakistan - Several schools and the only Catechist center for the * Family Support Programs country, where both parish catechists and their wives take classes. * Twinned Schools Program Cameroons - Courses & resources on responsible paternity-maternity. The training of teachers and creation of Australia & France - Associations to help young pregnant women. Vietnam - Motorcycle repair schools for street kids, art schools, etc. novel teaching materials and methods in Kenya - Christ the Teacher Institute for training teachers throughout Africa the US, Europe, Latin America and Holy Land - Bethlehem University and a high school in Tel Aviv which elsewhere continues to be a Lasallian both Christian, Jewish, and Moslem students attend. priority. If we can’t find it, we’ll make it. The Lasallian Educational Network

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize) Lasallian Volunteers FAITH • COMMUNITY • SERVICE

For More Information: Who Are The Lasallian Volunteers? www.LasallianVolunteers.org What Does The Volunteer Receive? Lasallian Volunteers are generous and [email protected] • Room,board and a small stipend talented men and women from diverse (202) 529 - 0047 • Medical insurance backgrounds across the Untied States who • College loan deferment or forbearance Hecker Center directly serve the poor through working • AMERICORPS education awards 3025 Fourth Street, NE and living in community with the DeLa Washington, DC 20017 • Spiritual growth and reflection Salle Christian Brothers, Lasallian Partners • Meaningful career experience and other Volunteers. This close interaction deepens the Volunteers’ experience, enlivens the community and enriches the service to the poor. Where Do They Do This Work? • Pawtucket and Providence, RI • Kansas City, MO Who Are The De La Salle Christian Brothers? • Albany, Bronx, Brooklyn, • Memphis, TN The De La Salle Christian Brothers are a religious order of the Freeport, Manhattan, • Tulsa, OK Roman Catholic Church that was founded for the purpose of Newburgh and Springfield • Minneapolis,MN educating poor children. Gardens, NY • Browning, MT • Camden, NJ • Yakima, WA The History of Lasallian Volunteers • Philadelphia, PA • Portland, OR In the early 1980’s,in response to the needs of the poor served • Baltimore, MD • Oakland, San Francisco by the De La Salle Christian Brothers in the Midwest and New • Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA York,communities of Brothers invited lay volunteers to join • Racine, WI them in their mission.By the early 1990’s, the Lasallian Volun- teer Program had grown into a national movement associated Openings for domestic placements do vary. Please ask about with Christian Brothers Conference. Today the Lasallian Volun- any new placements not listed above. teer Program annually provides close to 50 women and men for one or more years of service to Lasallian missions in some of Alumni the poorest neighborhoods in America. Of our over 350+ former volunteers . . .

Qualifications Needed For Successful Lasallian Volunteers • Half volunteered at least two years • College degree or related work experience • Some have taken positions at their Lasallian ministries after • Interest in living with an organized, faith-based community finishing as a volunteer • Ability to make a one-three year commitment to the program • Some are involved with overseas missions • Attendance at an eight-day orientation in August, a midyear • Most former volunteers pursue: and debriefing retreat,and in-services during the year • Teaching in elementary and secondary schools • Flexibility,reliability and enthusiasm • Graduate degrees in social work and education • Sense of humor,openness to people and a willingness to learn • Social service positions in urban environments • Concern for social justice and the ability to live simplymply The Lasallian Educational Network

Mother Teresa United Nations (Talk to the De La Salle Christian Brothers) St. John Baptist de La Salle (UNESCO Noma Prize)