Key Events
in the Life of
St. La Salle
and Mine
A Lasallian Module for
Lasallian Personal Effectiveness Program 2017
John Baptist De La Salle
• Founder of the Institute of the
Brothers of the Christian Schools
• Born at Reims, France on April 30 1651
• Ordained priest on April 9, 1678
• Died on April 7, 1719
• Canonized as Saint on May 24, 1900
• Proclaimed Patron of Teachers
May 15, 1950
2
Why Do we Have to
Talk about the Life of a
17th Century French
Priest?
• We are now part of an Institution
that strives to continue
John Baptist de La Salle’s work
• We live in a society where the
heritage and mission handed on by
John Baptist de La Salle are still very
relevant
• We are invited to share in the mission
of “ teaching minds, touching hearts
and transforming lives” as modeled
by St. De La Salle
3
John Baptist’s
Family and Call to
Priesthood
•His parents and
grandparents are his
models of faith, love for
the poor and hard work.
•Decided on his own to
receive the tonsure at 10
•Became a canon at 15
7
Hôtel de La Clôche
Where he was born and lived
Map of Reims until he was 13 years old.
8
Hôtel de La Clôche
Where he was born
and lived until he
was 13 years old.
9
The Cathedral
of Rheims
Where the young La
Salle served as a
canon.
This is just a few blocks
away from their Hôtel
de la Cloche and their
house at Rue Ste.
Marguerite.
10
Influences of
his seminary life
in Saint Sulpice
•Saint Sulpice and
Sorbonne
•French School of
Spirituality – God is
close
•Death of his parents
11
How has your family
influenced and
shaped your faith,
personality and
values?
12
Providential
Meeting with
Adrian Nyel
•Early life as priest
•Meeting Adrien Nyel
•His decision to take
charge of schools
led him from one
commitment to
another 16
Accepting direct
responsibility for
the schools
•Innovations introduced
•Founding of the Brothers
of the Christian Schools
•Formation of the teachers
•Giving-up of the canonry
•Giving away his wealth
17
Have you encountered
someone like Adrien Nyel
who made a difference in
your life? How did this
person influence you?
On what occasion have
you become an “Adrien
Nyel” to others?
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Responding to
challenges
with faith and
abandonment
to god’s will
•Challenges with other
schools
•Death of Henri
L’Heureux
•Heroic Vow
22
23
The problems
in Paris
•Challenges with
Church authorities
•Nicolas Vuyart left
the community
•Court cases against
De La Salle and the
Brothers
24
What was the biggest
challenge have you
experienced in high
school? How did you
handle it?
25
Rediscovering
his mission in
the peace of
Parmenie
•Parmenie and
Sister Louise
•Br. Irenée
•Appeal to return to
Paris
29
De La Salle
completes his
life’s mission in
total abandonment
to God’s will
•Election of new
Superior General
•Revision of the Rule
•Issue with the
Archbishop of Rouen
•Death
30
De La Salle
completes his life’s
mission in total
abandonment to
God’s will
• John Baptist died on Good
Friday, April 7, 1719, less than
a month before his 68th
birthday
• His last words were:
“I adore in all things
the will of God in my
regard.” 31
For St. La Salle,
following God’s will
gave meaning to his
life. How about you?
What gives you
meaning and
purpose in life?
32
What do you
appreciate in the
life of the Founder? 33
The Life of JBDLS
•a life of “FAITH” – of
constantly discerning and
acknowledging the will of
God
•a life of “ZEALOUS SERVICE” to
others – of responding
creatively to the needs of the
times and touching the hearts
of those around him
(teachers, students, the poor)
•a mission to establish
“COMMUNION” – to be sharer
in God’s plan of salvation
through solidarity and close
association 34
The Lasallian
Prayers
• FAITH
“Let us remember that we are in
the Most Holy Presence of God.”
• ZEAL FOR SERVICE
“I will continue O my God to do all
my actions for the love of You.”
• COMMUNION IN MISSION
“Live Jesus in our hearts…
Forever.”
35
The life of the Founder is...
A life of solidarity with the
poor
A life of prayer & reflection
A life of commitment and
action
From this we based our very own…
