Jean-Baptiste de La Salle is the founder of all the Lasallian schools worldwide. He was born in Rheims, France in 1651 to a noble family. After completing his theological studies at the Sorbonne, he was ordained a priest at the age of 27. The almost non-existent public education of his day, led him to the decision to create schools for the poor children. In his bold endeavor, there are many who followed him. In 1682 he founded the “Order of Brothers of Christian Schools”.
The difficulties he encountered did not disappoint him. His methodical and systematic work as well as his dedication to children, resulted in the success of his endeavor.
Apart from his zealous missionary, Jean-Baptiste de La Salle emerges as a great educator and a pioneer in his day. One of the most significant innovations he introduced was the substitution of Latin with French, as well as the simultaneous teaching of students, the separation of classes according to the cognitive level and age of the students. Furthermore, he drew up a regulation handbook for the schools. From the beginning, de La Salle catered to the training of the teachers (Brothers) who worked alongside him. Their enthusiasm and great success of the schools continued even after Jean-Baptiste de La Salle’s death, in 1719.
– Milestones in the life of Jean-Baptiste de La Salle –
1651
30 April. Born in Rheims, France to a noble family.
1662
He informs his parents of his desire to follow the ecclesiastical field.
1668
He rises in the ecclesiastical ranking.
1669
He registers with the University of Reims.
1678
Having studied at the Sorbonne, he is ordained a priest.
1679
He meets the teacher Adrien Nyel and together they decide to found the first three Christian schools for poor boys in Reims.
1680
He receives his doctorate in Theology.
1681
He hosts the poor teachers- collaborators of his in his home.
1682
He leaves his parental home and joins his collaborators in a rented house.
1684
He divides his fortune among the victims of the famine of Reims.
1686
1st Assembly of the most prominent Frères.
1688
He introduces important innovations in education: He divides pupils according to cognitive level and age, he introduces the French language abolishing Latin and draws up a school regulation.
1694
The 12 most eminent Frères take the first lifelong oaths of partnership, dedication and obedience.
1717
Frère Barthelémy is elected the first Father Superior of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
1719
Jean-Baptiste de La Salle dies on 7th April (Good Friday) at 68 years of age.
1725
Pope Benedict XIII recognizes the Order.
1900
24 May. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle is ranked among the Saints by Pope Leon XIII.
1950
15 May. Pope Pius XII proclaims Jean-Baptiste de La Salle “Patron Saint of the teachers and of the students”.
Share it on the above social networks
“De la Salle provides a valuable humanitarian contribution. He is a great educator, a rebel, an innovator…and should be studied by teachers, pedagogues, parents and guardians…”
“Congratulations on the significant work you achieve all over the world.”
- Bishop of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Dionysios.
“Please send us many, many Frères.”
- Franklin Roosevelt, President of the U.S.A
“I consider the Frères the best educators for my people.”
- Edward VII, King of England
“ …if I were Minister of Education, my first act would be to name the Superior of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Chief of Primary and Secondary Education.”
- Gustave Le Bon, French sociologist
“I would like to express my admiration for De la Salle, who, despite being a rich priest, renounced his fortune and social position to become a poor man, in order to be entitled to teach the people’s children alongside other poor men.”
English 
Français 
Ελληνικά 
