St. John Baptist de La Salle Biography (IRS1)

MODULE 1: THE LASALLIAN JULY 10, 1669 HERITAGE He completed his Master in Arts degree summa cum laude....

MODULE 1: THE LASALLIAN JULY 10, 1669 HERITAGE He completed his Master in Arts degree summa cum laude. He began studies at the University of Rheims and THE LIFE OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE later transferred to the more prestigious University of Paris - Sorbonne. APRIL 30, 1651 OCTOBER 18, 1670 St. John Baptist De La Salle was born in Rheims, While in Paris, the 19 years old John Baptist France. stayed in the seminary of St. Sulpice, which had become a major center of spiritual and apostolic He is the eldest of the 7 surviving children renewal in the 17th century France. (because 3 dies at infancy). It is in this seminary where De La Salle spent the His father, Louie De La Salle was a magistrate judge happiest period of his life, he was exposed the on the ruling council of the City of Rheims, France. spirituality of the French school. His Mother, Nicole Moet de Brouillet comes from a The 18 months at St. Sulpice had a decisive and very wealthy and landed family in France whose Moet permanent influence in his life. brand of wine is present in France even until today. St. Sulpice provided the foundations of his spiritual life. The young John Baptist and his brothers and sisters had a tutor coming to their home for lessons. This JULY 19, 1671 was the usual way to begin learning in the families of He was 20 years old when his mother died at the the wealthy. age of 36. 1661 APRIL 9, 1672 He was 10 years old when he entered the His father died. College des Bons Enfants where he excelled in Classical studies. APRIL 19, 1672 This is remarkable because in France at that time, He became an orphan at the age of 20. all education was given in Latin. He left the seminary and became the executor of By this time as he was 10 years old, he was the estate and sole guardian of his (4) brothers already determined to become a priest. and (2) sisters who became priests (2), nun (2), and monk (1). MARCH 11, 1662 At the age of 11, he received the tonsure. He stopped studying for the priesthood and returned It is the shaving of some or all of the hair in the to Rheims to see to their education and to settle the scalp as a sign of religious devotion/humility. estate. (He was still legally a minor at that time.) He would take up his studies again four years later 1666 but in Rheims. Pierre Dozet, a canon of the Rheims cathedral In Rheims, De La Salle took as his spiritual director and a cousin of John Baptist’s paternal Canon Nicolas Roland, renowned for his piety and grandfather resigned his canonry in favor of the the founder of the Sisters of the Child Jesus, a young John Baptist. community of religious women dedicated to the education of poor girls. JANUARY 7, 1667 At the age of 16, John Baptist became a canon at JUNE 11, 1672 the Cathedral of Rheims, a prestigious position Fr. Nicolas Roland urged De La Salle to continue carrying a large stipend. his studies for the priesthood and not to delay his ordination to the subdiaconate MARCH 17, 1667 He took minor orders. Roland became De La Salle’s mentor and urged him to take an interest in the education of the poor to which De La Salle replied: “That is not my calling.”  De La Salle wanted to be a parish priest in a poor HE NOTED IN HIS MEMOIR: section of the city. “It is only too common for the children of the working MARCH 21, 1676 class and the poor to allow their children to live on De La Salle became a deacon. their own, roaming all over as if they had no home. The parents have no concern to send their children to 1678 school because they are too poor to pay teachers, or He received his Bachelor degree in Sacred else they have to go out to look for work and leave Theology. their children to fend for themselves. These unfortunate children, accustomed to an idle life. Have APRIL 9, 1678 great difficulty when it comes time for them to go to De La Salle was ordained priest, a few days work. Through association with bad companions they before his 27th birthday. learn to commit many sins that later on are very When Canon Roland died in 1678, De La Salle difficult to stop, the vices having been contracted over became the executor of Roland’s will and guardian so long a period of time.” of the congregation Roland left behind. His exposure led to involvement. As he became exposed to the needs of the poor and abandoned FEBRUARY 1679 children, his heart was moved with compassion for It fell to him to secure letters-patent to grant the their human and spiritual distress. congregation permission to exist and continue their As time went by, Fr. De La Salle found himself more work. and more involved with forming teachers and setting De La Salle’s involvement with the sisters led him to up schools for the poor. understand their apostolate and put him in touch with The Birth of a Community in Rheims, France: the Church and city officials he would later tap for his Adrian Nyel’s zeal in establishing free schools all over own work with the Christian schools. France meant he had little time for training the school masters and securing the stability of the schools he MARCH 15, 1679 started. Fr. De La Salle bumped into Adrian Nyel at the doorway of the convent of the Sisters of the 1680 Child Jesus on Rue de Barbatre. Fr. De La Salle became a Doctor of Theology. Fr. De La Salle saw the problem and intervened by Nyel was a zealous schoolmaster with a good inviting the masters to his home beginning in record for establishing schools for poor girls in the Easter of 1680 in order to give them Rouen, France. John Baptist agreed to help Nyel. conferences and spiritual exercises. The first school at St. Maurice was quickly followed by a second in the parish of St. Jacques and a third His relatives and members of his class were shocked. in St. Symphorian. By December, 3 schools were operating. JUNE 24, 1681 After setting up his schools, Adrian Nyel left Rheims The shock turned to anger when he moved the to establish other free schools in France, leaving the masters permanently into his home to supervise young Fr. De La Salle in charged of the schools in their formation. Rheims. Thus, without in the least intending it, the young priest found himself more and more involved in As a result of a suit filed against him by his brother-in- the business of the schools. law Jean Maillefer. By this time, Fr. De La Salle became more exposed Fr. De La Salle was relieved of his guardianship of to the reality of poverty in France and the incapability his family and eventually lost his house. of the Church and Society to give a lasting remedy to His siblings were distributed to relatives with the it. exception of Jean Louis. JUNE 24, 1682 He and the masters moved into a small house on the Rue Neuve in the “poor quarter” of Rheims.  Without tuition, the survival of the schools was a The use of the Simultaneous Method of source of anxiety. teaching where students are graded according to Fr. De La Salle admonished his school masters not their capacity, putting those of equal attainments to fear but to trust in God’s providence. Their reply in the same class, giving them the same text- was, “It’s easy for you to talk. You have a fortune and books, and requiring them to follow the same a canonry. We are poor men with nothing. If the work lesson under one and the same teacher. dies, so do we.” De La Salle also introduced the innovative Seeing the truth of their criticism and the need to technical courses other than reading and strengthen their faith, Fr. De La Salle decided he had writing. to take a dramatic step. Near the end of 1682, De La Salle became convinced The schools of De La Salle soon became famous for God wanted him to devote all his energy to the its high educational standard and many more parish schools. priests were requesting for the Christian Brothers to His attempts to resign his canonry met with fierce set up school. opposition from his family. The lack of Brothers to fill up these requests convinced De La Salle to set up in Rheims the first AUGUST 1683 Teachers training school whose graduates, fired He resigned his canonry and its stable income. with the same idealism as De La Salle went back to Against custom, Fr. De La Salle chose a poor their respective parishes and continue the spread of priest named Faubert to inherit the canonry over Christian Education. his brother Jean Louis. The Growth and Challenges of the Community in JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1684 Paris, France During the harshest winter in a decade and in the Throughout his life, De La Salle faced opposition from: midst of famine, Fr. De La Salle liquidated his Professional schoolmasters who saw the Christian inheritance and sold most of his possessions. Schools as competition, He used the money to buy food which he Envious priests seeking to replace De La Salle and distributed to orphans/poor girls & boys, the control the Brothers, impoverished gentility, and the destitute. Church officials who regarded De La Salle as stubborn and wanted to discipline him and difficult 1686 and disloyal Brothers. De La Salle called an assembly of the senior schoolmasters. In 1691, the Institute of the Brothers came close to In assembly, they named their group the “Institute collapse due to: of the Brothers of the Christian Schools” (FSC: Legal battles to close down schools Fratres Scolarum Christianaurum). They took Lack of donors/resources vows of association and obedience and chose a Deaths of several Brothers due to overwork and distinctive robe to symbolize their new identity. illness The death of De La Salle’s friend and chosen The Christian Brothers (as the Lasalle brothers were successor Br. Henri L’Hereux famously called), were not priests but dedicated Conflicts within communities laymen. Brothers abandoning the work With lives totally vowed to God, carrying out God's Discouragement & low morale among the Brothers work through education, in solidarity with one another Closure of teacher-training centers due to lack of in community, Free to serve as needs required. recruits Soon the schools of the Institute spread out to all the major cities of France including the capital in Paris. NOVEMBER 21, 1691 The Heroic Vow of Br. Gabriel Drolin and Br. In his schools De La Salle introduced great Nicolas Vuyart at Vaugirard. innovations compared to the educational set up of It is a sacred vow to God and one another to keep that time: the society and the work alive even if they were the The use of the vernacular instead of Latin as the last members left, forced to beg for alms and medium of instruction. survive on bread alone.  For the next ten years the De La Salle was engaged THE HEROIC VOW in a series of struggles for the preservation of his Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, institute, in the course of which his name was prostrate with the most profound respect before your attacked, and justice was denied him before the civil infinite and adorable majesty, tribunals. After thirty-five years of hard labor, his work We consecrate ourselves entirely to you to procure, seemed to be almost on the verge of ruin. with all our power and all our care, the establishment His confidence in God was so firm and unshaken that of the Society of the Christian Schools, in the manner he was never really discouraged. which appears to us to be the most pleasing to you To save the Institute, De La Salle decided to leave and the most advantageous to the said Society. his brothers and went to a long retreat in the mountain of Parmenie. And for this purpose, I, Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, Discerning whether to return with his brothers or priest, (the names of the other two follow), from the completely retire from all ties with the order. present moment and forever, up to our last living The Letter sent to him by the senior brothers of the breath or to the completion of the establishment of the Institute requesting him to go back was the one that said Society, make a vow of association and union to compelled De La Salle to return. provide and maintain said establishment, staying together even though we should be the only three in FINAL DAYS IN ROUEN, FRANCE the said Society and be obliged to beg alms and live on bread alone. “If I had known in the beginning what God wanted me to do in my life, I would never have the courage to take Therefore, we promise, unanimously and with one the first step.” accord to do everything we believe in conscience and without any human consideration to be for the greater These were the words John Baptist De La Salle told his good of the said Society. brothers during his old age as he reflected on the life he had lived. Done this 21st day of November, 1691, feast of the presentation of the Most Blessed Virgin. The great things that He was able to accomplished was not a product of his own pre-meditated plan, Their commitment bear fruit and very soon, more instead, those actions were consciously chosen and Brothers were inspired to commit themselves to the done as a deliberate act of Love for God. work with renewed zeal. The number of recruits Inspired with this example from the founder, increased and the schools quickly spread and Lasallians today continue to pray: “I will continue O became famous throughout France. my God, to do all my actions for the Love of you.” MOMENTS OF DEFEAT & John Baptist De La Salle's later years were spent at TRIUMPH IN PARMENIE the College of St. Yon, in Rouen, where the novitiate had been transferred in 1705. 1702 The founder began to endure a long period of trial, 1716 aggravated by persecution on the part of certain He resigned from the active direction and ecclesiastical authorities. government of the Institute and from then on would give no orders, and lived like the humblest of the NOVEMBER 1702 brothers, teaching the novices and young He was deposed as Superior of the Institute by boarders. Cardinal de Noailles, and supplanted for a time by the Rev. B. Bricot. He wrote for them several treatises, including “A Method of Mental Prayer” and rewrote the Rules 1703 of the Institute. One of his most trusted disciples, Nicolas Vuyart, treacherously deserted him.  Thus, on March 10, 1911, upon instructions from the APRIL 7, 1719 Vatican to the La Salle Generalate, Brothers Afflicted with Asthma and Rheumatism and many Blimond Pierre, Aloysius Gonzaga, and Augusto other discomforts caused by his austere lifestyle, Correge, arrived in the Philippines from Europe John Baptist De La Salle passed away on Good and established De La Salle College in Paco, the first Friday, at Saint Yon, Rouen, at the age of 67. Christian Brother school in the country. “I adore in all things God’s will in my life.” Although the Brothers found themselves in a situation where the providing education for the children of the These were the final words of a man who could look back elite, they endeavored to remain true to their mission on his life with no regrets but only joy and wonder for all the by inculcating in their students a deep concern for the blessings that had come through his continual “yes” to God. plight of their less privileged countrymen. It was hoped that their Lasallian education would encourage SIX YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH them to utilize and develop their talents and The Christian Brothers' institute was recognized by resources in serving their nation, as they were bound Pope Benedict XIII, and its rule approved. to succeed their father in taking the helm of the Philippine economic, political, and cultural life. FEBRUARY 19, 1888 As the Brothers in the Philippines grew in number, De La Salle was beatified at St. Peter’s Basilica and as their successes allowed, they gradually by Pope Leo XIII. established more La Salle schools in the country, schools more directly serving the needs of the poor MAY 24, 1900 and underprivileged through education. He was canonized at St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Leo XIII. THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE MAY 15, 1950 In 1946, an opportunity for the Brothers to set up a He was named Patron of Teachers by Pope Pius second La Salle school in the country came when XII. then Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Montelibano, Sr., offered them a ten-hectare lot (where the Today, as a result De La Salle’s faith-in-action, there University stands today) for the purpose. are some 63,000 educators connected with the Lasallian mission educating some 800,000 students In 1952, La Salle-Bacolod was established through in more than 80 countries throughout the world. the guidance and efforts of its three founding Brothers, Bro. Felix Masson, Bro. Hugh Wester, THE LASALLIAN PRESENCE and Bro. Dennis Ruhland, the first director of the IN THE PHILIPPINES school. It all started with the American Archbishop of Manila, Today, the University continues to make its distinct Jeremiah James Harty, who was himself an presence felt as it consistently produces leaders and alumnus of a Christian Brothers school in St. Louis, key actors in the fields of agriculture and industry, Missouri. banking and finance, sports and education, In 1905, he appealed to the Superior-General of the communication and performing arts, and most Christian Brothers for the establishment of a De La notably, in government service. Salle School in Manila. Highly acknowledge for its academic excellence, The archbishop was concerned then about the social research dynamism, and active community growing number of schools established by American involvement and service, the University rises to the protestant teachers famously called the Thomasites challenge of the times - the need to exercise the in the country and he sought the help of the brothers leadership role in the social transformation of Negros to stem the tide of this growing influence among the through a relevant and Christian education of the children of the country's leading families. Negrense Youth.  THE SPIRIT OF FAITH THE DE LA SALLE PHILIPPINES The spirit of faith flows from a relationship of communion INCORPORATED (DLSPI) with the Triune God who wills to save all people by In a desire to harness the collective energy and drawing them into a life giving communion with him and resources of the educational institutions under the De with one another in the Lasallian tradition, the spirit of La Salle Brothers of the Philippine District to further faith is a spirit that allows one to: the Lasallian Mission, the 17 Lasallian schools in the Discover God's active presence in his Word, in men country came together and established De La Salle and women, in the poor, in nature, in history, and in Philippines. ourselves; In this network the autonomous units unite as One La Judge and evaluate things in the light of the gospel, Salle to articulate a comprehensive strategic plan that Search for God's will in order to carry out his saving will improve the overall quality of Lasallian education plan, by charting a rationalized educational agenda and Unite one's actions to the ongoing saving action of sharing capital and intellectual resources for the God in the world and mission of making Lasallian education more Trust in God's loving presence and providence when accessible and equitable. acting or discerning God's will. “I can do it because From 18 schools in its inception, the number of the Lord is always there, in my inner being.” schools under the network was reduced to 17 when De La Salle Professional Schools was reintegrated to “The spirit of faith invites us always to search for God's De La Salle University at the end of SY 2008-09. To will. Basically, this involves searching for the best way date, the members of the De La Salle Philippines are to carry out God's saving plan.” as follows: De La Salle University - Manila (DLSU Manila) Br. Alvaro Rodriguez Echevarria FSC De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) La Salle Greenhills – (LSGH) God's saving plan is the integral salvation and liberation De La Salle – Zobel – (DLSZ) of all, and especially of those who experience the De La Salle – Araneta University – (DLSAU) greatest level of need. De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) ZEAL FOR SERVICE FOR THE INTEGRAL De La Salle Health and Science Institute – (DLS – SALVATION OF ALL HSI) Zeal is the active expression of faith in gospel witness De La Salle Canlubang - (DLSC) and service. It is oriented towards the integral salvation of De La Salle Lipa – (DLSL) persons, particularly the poor and the excluded. Zeal is La Salle College Antipolo – (LSCA) the enthusiastic and total gift of self for the sake of the Jaime Hilario Integrated School – La Salle (JHIS- mission expressed in such qualities as gratuity and LS) generosity, creativity and fortitude, compassion and University of St. La Salle – Bacolod (USLS) commitment. It involves a preferential concern for the St. Joseph High School – La Salle (SJHS-LS) poor and the vulnerable. The desire to be of greater Andres Soriano Memorial College – La Salle – service to others conditions the quest for excellence and (ASMC-LS) continuous self-improvement. La Salle University – Ozamis (LSU) La Salle Academy –Iligan (LSA) COMMUNION IN MISSION, MISSION AS COMMUNION De La Salle – John Bosco College – (DLS-JBC) Communion recalls the dynamic of association by which the first Brothers bonded together for the sake of the THE LASALLIAN CORE VALUES particular mission entrusted to them by God. Communion has four dimensions. As a relationship with God, it is the In the Lasallian tradition, there are three constitutive source of all mission and ministry; as a way of elements that enables us to participate in the Mission of accomplishing mission, it suggests the solidarity and the Founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle. These collaboration that comes from sharing in one vision, one elements, taken together as one dynamic unity, provide a spirit and one mission; as a way of relating to others, it way of integrating and expressing every Lasallian's suggests openness to all persons and the desire to be vocation. brother or sister to all especially those in need; as a goal of mission, it suggests the unity that comes through reconciliation between God, human beings and creation.  Not material - simple BE THE CHANGE CHALLENGE Not time - space bound How do I live out the Lasallian core values of Faith, Infinite, but not necessarily eternal Service and Communion in my own circumstances Eternal - no beginning and no ending and sphere of influences? Infinite - no end but with beginning (Angels) Challenge Learner to Dream for the change they Temporal - with beginning and ending want to see, to Plan for the necessary Actions that Spirituality is something within us, not quantifiable, they can do, Create their Dream Project and Make a that connects us beyond our material limitations and Commitment to start the change or continue to be the makes us related to someone greater than us (pure Change they want to see. spirit, God). It is manifested in the way we relate with prayer, bible THE ONE LA SALLE PRAYER study, faith sharing, going to mass, Sunday worship & Let me be the change I want to see service, rosary/novena, procession, fasting & To do with strength and wisdom abstinence. All that needs to be done And become the Hope that I can Be 9 FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Love Kindness Faithfulness Set me Free from my fears and hesitations Joy Goodness Modesty Grant me courage and humility Peace Generosity Self-control Fill me with the Spirit to face the challenge Patience Gentleness Chastity And start the change we long to see Even if I’m not the light BEING RELIGIOUS I can be the spark Act of devotion In Faith, Service and Communion Prayer life Let me start the change I long to see Liturgical, worship obligation, ministry, pastoral work The Change that begins in Me. Spiritual life Live Jesus in Our Hearts Many times it reflects our spirituality, but not always. Forever. Creed - Doctrine (set of beliefs) Cope - Laws TERMINOLOGIES Cult - Ritual/Celebration Canon - exclusive and paid clergy tasked to recite readings and prayers. WHO IS GOD? Tonsure - shaving of some of the hair of a person. Ilo - if your father is dead. There’s only ONE God with 3 divine persons (Mt. Ilo Molo Molo - if both your parents are dead. 28:19-20) God - the Creator (Gen. 1-2) Jesus - the Savior MODULE 2: LASALLIAN Holy Spirit - the sanctifier SPIRITUALITY AND MISSION God is OMNISCIENT - all knowing God is IMMUTABLE - “mutare” to change, mutant God is OMNIPOTENT - all powerful WHAT IS IT BEING A LASALLIAN? God is OMNIPRESENT - always present An individual person who integrates in his life and lives God is LOVE the spirituality and mission of St. John Baptist De La Salle. Man related to God Spirituality: A relationship of God with man and man WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY? to God. Latin adjectives “spiritualis” which is derived from “spiritual” that means “matters concerning the spirit”.  TYPES OF SPIRITUAL PATH 3 CORE VALUES OF LASALLIAN SPIRITUALITY DEVOTIONAL Faith (how we see) Latin word “devovere” meaning “to vow”. Zeal for Service (how we do) Spending time with God through prayer, reflection, Communion in Mission (how we celebrate) meditation, and contemplation. All these are to bring us closer to God. PRACTICAL Greek word “praxis” meaning action. Through learning, listening to teachings, self- A RETROSPECT OF SOME STRIKING EVENTS IN ST. JOHN BAPTIST experience of God’s presence in their lives. Sense of DE LA SALLE’S HISTORICAL CONTEXT respect for life (Gandhi’s Ahimsa). PASTORAL TIMELINE: 1500 - 1600 (16TH - 17TH CENTURIES) Root word “pastor” meaning shepherd, which a Council of Trent (1545 - 1563) shepherd has the following: Religious Strife: Catholic vs. Huguenots Staff - “baculum” (Protestants) Musical Instrument St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1572) Sling - “tirador” Civil War Oil - have medicinal value Ended by the edict of Nantes (King Henry IV, Sense of duty/obligation (Kant’s Deontological) 1598) Not focus on self-gained benefits Political Unrest: Medici Family Hates any form of injustice Right of Investiture Sense of family/community Cardinal Richelieu: Regent of Louis XIII to Louis XIV Latin word “Pater Familias” meaning “Good Abolished Aristocracy’s Privileges Father of the Family”. 30 years war: France with Sweden vs. Habsburg, 1631 COMMON FEATURES TO Construction of Versailles by Louis XIV, 1661 THE 3 SPIRITUAL PATHS Cathusians in France The Jesuits (Society of Jesus), 1552 Benevolence (kindness of heart) Capuchins in France, 1573 Sense of Respect St. Francis De Sales, 1567 - 1622 Not Materialistic/Hedonistic Birth of St. John Baptist De La Salle, 1651 Peace Loving Writing = the Spirit of the Institute Charitable LIVING ONE’S SPIRITUALITY = MISSION MODULE 3: SEEING WITH THE Mission - Latin word “mitere” meaning “to send”. EYES OF FAITH Spirituality enables us to go and reach out to others We see things according to the lens we’re using. (example: missionary) Each one of us use different lens (perspectivism) Lens of Hatred - Revenge LASALLIAN SPIRITUALITY Lens of Insecurity - Envy A spirituality (a relationship with God) embraced by Lens of Pride - A “holier & wiser than thou” attitude St. John Baptist De La Salle, and from which Lens of Love - Compassion and Mercy proceeds its related and unique Lasallian mission. No Lasallian spirituality without and apart from St. 7 CAPITAL SINS Capital - “caput” meaning “head” John Baptist De La Salle. Pride Gluttony Lasallian spirituality is one of the many means of Anger Avarice/Greed relating to God in the ways of St. John Baptist De La Lust Sloth Salle. Envy  The center where all knowledge precedes and A Lasallian looks at harsh realities in the eyes of understanding ensues faith. With the eyes of faith: The center in logic (logocentrism) Hope (assurance of things to hope for) The center in metaphysics (meta-narrative) Rebound (capacity to bounce back) The center of epistemology (grand narrative) Serenity (ability to reflect & remain calm) The center presupposes purity, wholeness, Grasp (something we hold on) perfection, totality but investigating philosophical principles. WHAT IS FAITH? There are defects, lacking, impurities, flaws, and Faith is a theological virtue which enables man to imperfections, thus, logocentrism/grand narratives = believe God and all related to God, beyond material totalizing, elitist, exclusive, and discriminatory. circumstances. For many, faith is to believe. Others that cannot suit in its meta-definition = outcast, Human senses - source of believing but it is finite pariah, exile, diaspora. and limited, while God (subject of faith) is infinite and absolute. Saving act (salva labora): Deconstructionism For a Lasallian, faith is believing in order to see Going out of the center “credere ut videre” Breaking the center (those in periphery can be part of It is a supernatural gift from God the great scheme An assent to God An invitation for inventiveness and creativity A certainty of what we believe A call to inclusiveness Following what we believe MULTI-CULTURALISM CHALLENGES OF FAITH CULTURE DOUBT (SKEPTICISM) Set of beliefs, behavior, orientations, attitudes in both Loss of certainty physical and biological of an individual or group of Question of credibility people. Scientific positivism Methodological naturalism Before - Mono culturalism Radical empiricism Now - Multi culturalism (pluricultural) Truth is under siege CULTURE DYNAMICS RELATIVISM Tradition - latin word “tradere” and greek word Truth depends on the person’s preference and “paradosis” meaning “to hand down”. understanding. Transition - latin word “transitus” which causes Power of an absolute truth is wrecked and paved the change/process. way for Atheism (the abolishment of the ultimate truth CULTURE SHIFT which is God) Terminus a quo (point of origin) Transitus (process) “God is dead, we killed God” - Friedrich Nietzsche Terminus ad quem (the end point) How? WHAT ROLE DO WE, LASALLIANS, Man is exalted = God is mocked (the Theory of PLAY IN THE MULTI-CULTURALISM? Transvaluation) SUBMARINE LASALLIANS DECONSTRUCTIONISM We submerge ourselves in cultures We assimilate and absorb the cultures w/o critique JACQUES DERRIDA We blend and disappears in the water (culture) Father of Deconstructionism Philosophy always assumes a center/core HOVERCRAFT LASALLIANS We drift above the sea of cultures We live in another esoteric reality We create our own cultural ghetto We are in people agreement with us We have our narrow and exclusive perspective CRUISER LASALLIANS We can engage and disengage in the sea of cultures We float but we cannot sink We embrace other cultures but we have a distinctive culture of St. John Baptist De La Salle