“Young people need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation.” – Saint John Baptist de La Salle

St. John Baptist de La Salle was born in 1651, in Reims, France. He was the eldest son of wealthy parents. At the age of eleven, La Salle was committed becoming a priest and was given the title Canon of Reims Cathedral at the age of sixteen. As a young 17th-century Frenchman, John had everything going for him: scholarly bent, good looks, noble family background, money, refined upbringing. He seemed assured then of a life of dignified ease and a high position in the Church.

But God had other plans for John, which were gradually revealed to him in the next several years. During a chance meeting with Monsieur Adrien Nyel, he became interested in the creation of schools for poor boys in Rheims, where he was stationed. Though the work was extremely distasteful to him at first, he became more involved in working with the deprived youths. He was ordained to priesthood when he was 26 years old.

Once convinced that this was his divinely appointed mission, John threw himself wholeheartedly into the work, left home and family, abandoned his position as canon at Rheims, gave away his fortune, and reduced himself to the level of the poor to whom he devoted his entire life.

During this time, La Salle also worked with the Sisters of the Child Jesus to educate girls, serving as chaplain and confessor for their school. While performing this work, he met Adrian Nyel, who was himself a supervisor of teachers at a boys school in Reims.

La Salle gradually became preoccupied with work at the new school. He was aware that teachers needed training and direction, and that the children had few opportunities for success. He calculated that if he lent his talents to the school, and worked with both teachers and students, he could improve their lives.

He worked with the teachers to educate them and teach them manners. He invited them to live in his home where he provided them with direction. This made them more effective with the students, and in turn improved outcomes for them.

But there was a larger problem in France. Poverty was widespread during this time, and only few families could afford to educate their children. La Salle felt the best way to approach this problem would be to establish a community devoted to the education of children, regardless of their ability to pay.

This thought influenced him to resign from his post as Canon at the Cathedral. He left his comfortable family home to live with the teachers, and established the Brothers of the Christians Schools.

This community grew rapidly and was successful in educating boys of poor families, using methods designed by John. It prepared teachers in the first training college for teachers and also set up homes and schools for young delinquents of wealthy families. The motivating element in all these endeavours was the desire to become a good Christian.

Yet even in his success, John did not escape experiencing many trials: heart-rending disappointment and defections among his disciples, bitter opposition from the secular schoolmasters who resented his new and fruitful methods, and persistent opposition from the Jansenists of his time, whose moral rigidity and pessimism about the human condition John resisted all his life.

Afflicted with asthma and rheumatism in his last years, he died on Good Friday at age 68. La Salle was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 1888 and canonized him on May 24, 1900. His feast day is April 7. He is the patron saint of all educators.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle is a clear reflection of how complete dedication to one’s calling by God, whatever it may be, can be a rare quality. As we commemorate the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus today, let us offer ourselves to his Divine Heart keeping in mind of La Salle’s life, asking for our calling to live our life according to our Father’s will.

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Albert of Tournai

2. Saint Calliopius of Pompeiopolis

3. Saint Finian of Kinnitty

4. Saint Peleusius of Alexandria

5. Saint Epiphanius the Martyr