St John Baptist De La Salle (1651-1719) was born the eldest of seven children into a wealthy family in Reims, France. He received a good education and, destined for a religious life, was confirmed into Clerical Orders at 11yrs.
At 15yrs, St John Baptist De La Salle was appointed Canon of Reims Cathedral. He then progressed to College and Seminary Training. Sadly, both his Mother and Father died within a year of each other, so St John returned home to take care of his younger brothers and sisters; he was 21yrs.
Happily, St John was able to return to seminary and at 26yrs, he was ordained a priest. With others, he soon established a school for the poor in his hometown. The school was just the beginning of what became an international achievement.
There are currently, “About 6,000 Brothers and 75,000 lay and religious colleagues worldwide serving as teachers, counsellors, and guides to 900,000 students in over 1,000 educational institutions in 84 countries”.
St John Baptist De La Salle’s Feast Day is 7th April. He is Patron Saint of teachers.
St John Baptist De La Salle:
Pray for us that through our daily actions we will be teachers true to Jesus’ Gospel.
Glory be to the…
