The life and times
of
Saint John Baptist
de La Salle

The story of Lasallian Association begins in 1694 and is the reference point for all who wish to commit themselves to the Christian education of poor children in the spirit of John Baptist de La Salle. As the 43rd General Chapter says: "The foundation event which links the Institute today to its origins is that of the 6th of June 1694, when John Baptist de La Salle and twelve of his followers consecrated themselves for life to the Christian education of poor boys."

The needs and motivations of the life and times of Saint John Baptist de La Salle are echoed still today. God raises up men and women to lead young people to salvation. You, as teachers in a Lasallian school, now walk in the footsteps of De La Salle. Let the journey begin.

1. Before we take too many steps on our journey, it may be helpful to learn a few Lasallian Terms. Review this list and make notes of one's which need further clarification. We will discuss those during orientation.

2. In reading this brief history of John Baptist de La Salle what can you infer to be the motivation which turned him away from a very comfortable position in French society to his life's work of educating the children of the artisans and the poor? De La Salle describes the taking charge of training and directing Nyel's school masters, who one contemporary described as gamblers drunkards, libertines, ignorant, and brutal; as De La Salle describes later in his life, "Those whom I was at first obliged to employ as teachers, I ranked below my own valet, hence the very thought of having to live with them was unbearable." Who were these men that De La Salle later calls Brothers?

3. A pivotal event in the life of De La Salle was his exposure, for the first time in his life, to the poor. The famine which ravaged France in the early 1680's gave De La Salle an opportunity to divest himself of his wealth. Who are these artisans and the poor in 17th and 18th century France and more importantly, who are their equivalent today?

4. The life of John Baptist de La Salle roughly paralleled that of Louis XIV, the Sun King. However they lived in very different worlds. The Memoirs of the Duc de Saint-Simon, who was very influential in Louis' court describes Louis XIV as an eyewitness. The France of Louis and the court of Versailles was very different from the Riems and Paris of De La Salle. In what ways did the extravagances of Louis create the milieu where the work of De La Salle and other educational reformers was vital?

5. John Baptist de La Salle first set up free or very inexpensive schooling for street boys in his parish (St. Sulpice) in Paris, but soon parents who had been paying fees to private school teachers began sending their sons to de la Salle's school. What consequences would you foresee? How did the schools which De La Salle organized make him rank as one of the top educational innovators of his time?

6. Jan Steen was a Dutch genre painter who recorded the educational climate of 17th century Europe. Compare Steen's two images of school found in The Schoolmaster painted between 1663-65 and The Village School painted about 1670 with two painting reflecting the Lasallian classroom. Which of Lasalle's pedagogical practices are evident? You can click on the images for larger versions.

7. The Conduct of Schools was first published in 1720, the year after De La Salle's death. It is a compendium of the experience of De La Salle and his early Brothers. What similarities can you find between these schools and the schools conducted by those following in his footsteps?

8. De La Salle was not the first, nor was he the last, to embark on the journey of educator. His contributions are our legacy. What are the characteristics of a Lasallian school , of which you are now part? What makes a Lasallian teacher part of a charism rather than just an institution?