Life of St. John Baptist De La Salle Risk-Taker Servant-Leader Humble Servant Educator

Objectives At the end of this module, you will Identify key events in the life of St. John Create meaning on the significant events in the life of St. John with one’s own key events

“Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God” St. John Baptist de La Salle

Life of St. John Baptist De La Salle Risk-Taker Decision-Maker Servant-Leader Humble Servant Educator

Family Eldest son of a wealthy couple Noble family in France

Birthdate: April 30, 1651 Birthplace: Rheims, France Old Place New Place: Hotel De La Salle

Destined for the Church Born into an influential family Highest university honours Entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice Seminary, Paris at age nineteen Likely to reach a high status in the Church.

Family Man Became Legal Guardian of his 6 brothers and sisters His mother died at age 20 His father died at age 21

A Scholar: 1678 Ordained a priest at age 27 2 years later, he obtained a Doctorate in Theology On his way home to the cathedral each day, would see poor children who had no hope of anything better Met a layman friend, Adrian Nyel Became involved with teachers, students, school and condition of poverty

La Salle as a Teacher Teacher Training Center Students are grouped according to ability Taught good manners and practical subjects in their own language – a BIG difference to normal schools at the time!

Risk-Taker Devoted his talents to open schools for poor children Abandoned his family, canonry and wealth Established a community of brothers

Risk-taker Resisted ecclesiastical authorities Formed a community who offered free education for all Children Delinquents Working Young Men

Servant-Leader Taught in own language Trained Lay Teachers Superior of the Brothers

Humble-Servant Parmenie, France Went into Solitude at Parmenie in 1712-14 Serious attack of Rheumatism Period of self-doubt Received letter from the Brothers to return – when he got back, said "Here I am. What do you want me to do?" Parmenie, France

Last Days Died at St. Yon near Rouen April 7, 1719 on Good Friday Age 68

Achiever: Christian Educator Pioneered in training college teachers Reform schools for delinquents Technical schools Secondary schools for modern languages, arts and sciences Educational Institutions spread across the globe – now 73000 Lasallian workers

Life of St. John Baptist De La Salle Born at Rheims, France on April 30,1651 Ordained Priest on April 9, 1678 Died on April 7, 1719 Canonized as Saint on May 24, 1900 Patron of Christian Teachers on May 15, 1950 by Pope Pius XII

Life of St. John Baptist De La Salle Risk-Taker Servant-Leader Humble Servant Educator

Key Events in One’s Life (Sentence Completion) “Often remind yourself that you are in the presence of God.” A time where I have felt spiritual is….. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “God expects you to touch hearts.” Whenever I help people in need, I feel . . . ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________