The Catholic Defender: St. John Baptist de la Salle: Patron of Teachers

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"Be driven by the love of God because Jesus Christ died for all, that those who live may live not for themselves but for him, who died and rose for them. Above all, let your charity and zeal show how you love the Church. Your work is for the Church, which is the body of Christ."

"I will often consider myself as an instrument which is of no use except in the hands of the Workman. Hence I must await the orders of Providence before acting and be careful to accomplish them when unknown."

St. John Baptist de La Salle and his Brothers took up the cause of education vigorously. In addition to the founding of schools in 22 cities by the time of his death in 1719, De La Salle contributed significantly to the entire field of education through his writings and innovative methodology.

He was born into a wealthy family and was destined for the priesthood from a young age.

He became a Doctor of Theology and a Canon of the Cathedral of Reims.

Complete dedication to what he saw as God’s will for him dominated the life of John Baptist de La Salle.

In 1950, because of his life and inspirational writings, he was made Patron Saint of all those who work in the field of education. John Baptist de La Salle inspired others how to teach and care for young people, how to meet failure and frailty with compassion, how to affirm, strengthen and heal.

In 1950, Pope Pius XII named him patron of schoolteachers for his efforts in upgrading school instruction. As a young 17th-century Frenchman, John had everything going for him: scholarly bent, good looks, noble family background, money, refined upbringing.

At the early age of 11, he received the tonsure and started preparation for the priesthood, to which he was ordained at 27. He seemed assured then of a life of dignified ease and a high position in the Church.

He was ordained a priest in 1678.

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 established the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a community dedicated to educating children regardless of their ability to pay.

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.

Age: 32. De La Salle begins to distribute his fortune to the poor of the city of Reims at a time when famine raged, both among the poor and the upper classes of the city.

He emphasized the importance of teaching in the vernacular (the common language) rather than Latin.

The remainder of his life was closely entwined with the community of religious men he founded, the Brothers of the Christian School (also called Christian Brothers or De La Salle Brothers).

St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle is known as the founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a religious order dedicated to education, and is also the Patron Saint of Teachers and the Patron Saint of All Teachers of Youth.

He emphasized the importance of education for all, especially the poor and marginalized.

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 endeavors was the desire to become a good Christian.

St. John Baptist de la Salle is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime. One of the most famous of these miracles is the story of the candle that never went out.

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 vehemently all his life.

Teaching minds and touching hearts: 5 things we can learn from St John Baptist de la Salle

Knowing what matters. John Baptist was born into a wealthy family in Reims, France. ...
Recognising the poor. ...
Taking action one step at a time. ...
Persistence in learning. ...
Meeting students where they are.