St.John Baptist De La Salle

Founder of the institute of the brothers of the Christian Schools and patron of Christian Educators.

John Baptist De La Salle was born on April 30, 1651 in Rhiems, France. He completed his seminary studies in philosophy and theology with a doctoral degree. He was ordained priest on April 9, 1678. He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools composed exclusively of lay religious dedicated to the educational services of the poor youth and revolutionized teaching.

• The use of vernacular language;
• The grouping and instructing of students according to ability and achievements;
• The integration of human and Christian education;
• and the involvement of parents.

The institute became a model for teaching congregations. The spirituality for teachers which De La Salle develoed and put into writing later served their proffession into a vocation and thier work into a ministry. After years of dedicated service, John Baptist De La Salle died on the Good Friday, April 7,1719 in Rouen, France. He was beatified on Febuary 9, 1888 and canonized on May 24, 1990. In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Saint John Baptist De La Salle the heavenly patron of all Christian teachers.