Lasprit_M1-The story behind the name De La Salle PDF
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This document details the story behind the name De La Salle. It provides a family background of a notable figure in 17th-century France, giving insight into the life of John Baptist de La Salle's life before his spiritual vocation.
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Topic1: The Life and Legacy of St. John Baptist De La Salle Video#1 : Life of Saint La Salle The man behind the name DE LA SALLE Family Background On April 30,1651 in Rheims, France, John Baptist de La Salle was born. His parents were Louis de La Salle, a magistrate of the presidia court...
Topic1: The Life and Legacy of St. John Baptist De La Salle Video#1 : Life of Saint La Salle The man behind the name DE LA SALLE Family Background On April 30,1651 in Rheims, France, John Baptist de La Salle was born. His parents were Louis de La Salle, a magistrate of the presidia court at Reims, and Nicole Moet, the daughter of the Seigneur de Brouillet belonging to the noble class. When they married, he was 25 years old at the time and she was 17. Although they have 11 children in 20 years of married life, four of their children died in infancy. In addition to John Baptist, the oldest, two girls survived, Marie and Rose-Marie, and four boys, Jacques-Joseph, Jean-Louis, Pierre and Jean-Remy. Jacques-Joseph & Jean-Louis would eventually become a priest, Pierre a lawyer, and Jean-Remy, after a varied career and a succession of marital troubles, was to die in a mental institution. Marie married Jean Maillefer and Rose-Marie, entered the convent of the Canoses of St. Augustine in Rheims at 16 years old but died suddenly at the age of 25. The maternal grandparents, Jean Moet and Perrette Lespagnol, had a much greater influence on the young John Baptist. The first 13 years of his life he grew up in the La Cloche mansion, nurtured by the loving care of his parents and by frequent visits from his maternal grandparents. Jean Moet has a great affection for his grandson, and no doubt brought him from time to time to visit the vineyard and play in the open fields of the Brouillet estate. As the local Seigneur, Jean Moet has a special bench in the chapel of the state where he could show the boy off to the townsfolk on a Sunday morning. He himself loved to say the divine office of the Church, and is said to have taught John Baptist how to follow the complicated rubrics of the breviary. Perrette Lepagnol Moet, the grandmother, was likewise a source of guidance and support up until the time of her death As a respected member of the upper-middle class, the De La Salle family and their relatives were active in the social life of Reims. The Household routine was governed by the rules of correct and conventional social behavior. Music and the arts were held in esteem. The food at home was of high quality and the family dressed in the latest fashion. There were servants, though not many full-time, to spare the children from having to do menial or disagreeable chores. Video#2: Retrieved from St. John Baptist de La Salle: Journey of a Man (video file). Early Religious Formation As a child, John Baptist seems to have been bored by the cultural soirees that were frequently held in the De la Salle mansion. It is told that on one occasion he ran to his grandmother to ask her to read to him stories from the lives of the saints as an alternative diversion. Musical performances, a form of entertainment that the father provided for his guest were not to the liking of his young son. Things religious had a special attraction for John Baptist from the earliest youth. His biographers speak of the delight he took in attending church services, his fascination with the ceremonies, the games that he devised to imitate them at home, the penetrating questions he asked about the meaning of all that he experienced or was taught about his religion. Tonsure John Baptist was not quite 11 years old and it was towards the end of his first year at the college, on March 11, 1662, he received the clerical tonsure. This ceremony, which consisted in a ritual clipping of hair from the crown of the head in the style of the ancient monk, marked the formal entrance of a candidate for the priesthood into the clerical state. This tonsure was conferred at the invitation pf Father Pierre Dozet, a first cousin of De La Salle’s paternal grandfather. Dozet was vicar-general of the Reims archdiocese at the time, and chancellor of the university as well. It is likely that he wanted to direct his talented young cousin toward the priesthood at an early age. It was not uncommon at that time to give tonsures to boys that are young. It made them eligible for ecclesiastical benefices without committing them irrevocably to the obligations associated with Holy Orders. The early biographers insist however, that for John Baptist , young as he was, this was a conscious choice that signaled his determination to follow in the vocation to which he felt God was calling him. The parents, too, in approving this step, consciously sacrificed any hopes they may have had that their eldest son would follow his father in a career at law. Canon of the Cathedral Chapter Toward the end of 1666. Pierre Dozet decided to resign his benefice as a canon of the cathedral of Reims in favor of his young cousin, John Baptist de La Salle. The formal ceremony of investiture took place on January 7, 1667. For John Baptist, not yet 16 years old, it was a distinct honor to enter the company of the cathedral chapter of Reims, which numbered among its alumni three popes, 23 cardinals, more than 30 bishops and, most distinguished of all perhaps, Saint Bruno. In accepting this office, John Baptist assumed both the privileges and the duties of a canon. The duties were related principally to public prayer, especially the daily chanting in the cathedral choir of the liturgy of the hours. Each canon was assigned a house adjacent to the cathedral. If he did not occupy it himself, as in De la Salle, he could rent lodging to some suitable client. There was a fixed stipend for participation in each of the liturgical services that added up in the course of a year to a considerable sum. Above all, there was the dignity and prestige attached to the office. Video #3: Life of De La Salle Full Story3.mp4 Education and Priesthood Education His elementary education began at home and was entrusted to private tutors. He was ten years old when on October 10, 1661, after four years with the tutors he was enrolled in the sixth class of the College des Bons-Enfants in Reims. De La Salle continued in the prescribed course of classical studies at the college. At the age of 19, he entered the seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris and attended lectures in theology at Sorbonne. His studies made him qualify to become a Bishop one day. Interruption at age 20-21 John Baptist de La Salle was in the final weeks of his year at the seminary in Paris when he learned of the death of his mother in July 1671. Less than nine months later, word came that his father had died on April 9, after only 18 months, De La Salle had to leave the seminary for good in order to attend to the family affairs back in Reims. A complex set of responsibilities awaited the young canon, as executor of his father’s will, head of the household and legal guardian of his four brothers and two sisters. Meeting Fr. Nicolas Roland Man of faith that he was, he might have been inclined to interpret these events as a sign that God is directing him to another path. From his months of stay at St Sulpice he learned not to trust his own judgment in such matters. Therefore, he looked for a spiritual director to guide him through this difficult time. He then found Father Nicolas Roland, a man ten years older and a fellow canon in the cathedral. Roland suggested that he enroll at once at the University of Reims to complete the theology course that he had begun at Paris. On Holy Saturday, April 9, 1678, at 27 years old he was ordained to priesthood. He took a doctorate in Theology two years later, in 1680, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Theology. The joy and spiritual elation that De La Salle must have experienced at his ordination and first mass was soon tempered by the untimely death of Nicolas Roland, his spiritual director. Just before he died he appointed De La Salle and Nilas Rogier, a fellow canon, to be executors of his will. One of which is to secure legal recognition for the community of Sisters for the education of poor girls. DE LaSalle frequently said Mass for the Sisters and provided for their spiritual needs. At the age of 29, De la Salle had an experience that changed his life, he came close to losing his life after a visit to the country. Toward the end of 1690, he got another brush with death when he became so ill traveling to Paris. The Brothers gave him the Viaticum but he did recover from such an illness. As the work began in Paris, at one school and then at several more, a new challenge appeared. Hostility, in suits, harassment, and even violence, continued in Paris for the next 15 years. Video# Life of De La Salle Full Story 4.mp4 The establishment of a teaching order of men called “Brothers of the Christian Schools” (FSC) Meeting Adrien Nyel, John Baptist was settling gradually into the routine and lifestyle of a pious and zealous respected young priest. All the signs, internal and external, pointed to a brilliant career in the church, with a promise of high ecclesiastical offices and dignities which his family background and his university education had prepared him for. However, the chance encounter with Adrien Nyel, at the door of the Sisters of the Child Jesus in Reims was to set his life course in a totally new direction. Nyel had been sent from Rouen by Madame Maillefer, herself a native of Reims with connections by marriage to the De LaSalle family. For some time now, Father Nicolas Barre’ had been spearheading a movement in Rouen, supported by the generosity of Madame Maillefer, to establish quality schools, first for the poor girls, then for the poor boys. If the community of Sisters founded by Roland in Reims, had so much of the education of poor girls, modeled on the schools in Rouen, why could not something be done for the poor boys of Reims?That was the short message Nyel brought from Madame Maillefer. At the age of 30 (1680) …, De La Salle realized that he would have to take a further step- he brought the teachers into his own home to live with him. His relatives were upset, his social class was scandalized, and they thought he was carrying the Gospel a bit too far. But DLS could not shake the conviction that he was doing something in accordance with God’s will for him. A year later, at age 31, DLS rented a house into which he and the handful of teachers moved. He lived with the first schoolmaster. This was against his family’s wishes. They started to call themselves “Brothers”. Within a year, in 1683, the Brothers became concerned about their stability and their security as part of this Untested enterprise. De la Salle urged them to trust in God, but he was a wealthy man by birth and a canon with a large annual income, while they were poor men with no skills and no prospects. So in 1683 at age 32, he resigned his position of canon at the cathedral and, in the winter of 1683-84, he gave away his personal fortune to the poor and those who were suffering. Thus he joined his Brothers in true poverty and broke down the barriers that separated him from them. Now, they would all be fully dependent on God. At the Brother’s General Assembly in 1686, at the age of 35, he established a teaching order of men who were to be neither “secular” nor “clerics” and dedicated to teaching. A distinctive habit was approved, a vow of obedience was taken, and the name “Brothers of the Christian Schools” (FSC) was officially adopted. These men are called “Brothers”. A habit or a uniform was decided to be worn by the group. It was aimed to be a constant reminder to the person to live a holy life In 1691, at age 40, In Vaugirard, he made the “Heroic Vow “with Drolin and Vuyart to be faithful to the mission and to establish the Institute even if all others leave, and they are reduced to begging for their bread. Parmenie Experience and Death of the Founder At age 41 years onward He with the Brothers struggled to keep the mission alive amidst conflicts and legal cases with the local Church leaders and Writing Masters. At age 54 in the year 1705, The Brothers opened the establishment at St. Yon, near Rouen, including a novitiate, a boarding school, and a home for delinquent boys. Formal permission is given to print all the works prepared by De La Salle for use in the school At age 60-62 years old, after a series of crises, He went on a retreat in Parminie. The encounter at Parmenie between Father De La Salle and Sister Louise in the year 1714 is perhaps the most important event that ever took place in that mountain retreat. It would seem that Sister Louise, guided by invisible forces, appeared on the stage of history at the precise moment when John Baptist de La Salle needed her. (LIFT105 A3 Encounters-De la Salle at Parmenie.pdf) He returned after receiving an order from the Brother to resume his responsibility as superior of the Brothers saying….” here I am, what do you want me to do”. When De La Salle reappeared in Paris everyone expected that he would at once function again as Superior of the very troubled Society. Surprisingly he did no such thing and he let it be known that he has no intention of assuming an active role in directing the day-to-day affairs of the Brothers. He was content to resume his sacramental ministry for them, give advice where it is needed and asked for but leave the details to Brother Barthelemy to work them out as best he could. (p164 (Salm) The work is Yours (1).pdf) On Holy Thursday, when asked by Brother Barthelemy whether he accepted his sufferings, the founder replied, “Yes, I adore in all things the guidance of God in my regard”. These were his last words. On Good Friday, April 7, 1719 at about four o’clock in the morning, he made an effort to rise from bed as though to greet someone. He then joined his hands, raised his eyes to heaven, and breathed his last. He was just a few weeks short of being 68 years old. Throughout all Rouen, and soon throughout the Institute, the word spread:” The saint is dead” (p187-188 (Salm) The work is Yours (1).pdf) On February 19,1888, De la Salle was beatified by Pope Leo XII.On May 24, 1900 He was canonized. On May 15,1950 He was proclaimed Patron of All Teachers of Youth. He is commemorated as Saint by the Universal Church every April 7. May 15 is his feast day in the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools Today, there are 4,485 La Salle brothers, 84,958 Lasallian partners and more than a million Lasallian students around the world in 1,049 education institutions in 80 countries. Topic2: The Lasting Legacy What is Legacy? A very simple definition of legacy is that it is something that a person leaves behind to be remembered by. It may be a story of someone's life, the things they did, places they went, goals they accomplished, their failures, and more. It can also be a physical structure, an organization or even a political system. Some legacies are positive while some leave legacies that are destructive or negative in nature. Take for example the recipes of your grandmother or the political system of Adolph Hitler. Legacies, whether positive or negative in nature, are equally important because they serve as path ways to make better decisions in life or a guide that the next generation can either behave the same way, or avoid making the same mistakes. A more holistic definition of legacy is when you are genuinely grounded in offering yourself and making a meaningful, lasting and energizing contribution to humanity by serving a cause greater than your own. The requirements of a legacy are that you embrace your uniqueness, passionately immersing your whole self into life so that your gift will be to all and that you take responsibility to ensure that it will have a life beyond that of you, its creator, outliving and outlasting your time on earth.” (https://meridianlifedesign.com/about-legacy/what-is-legacy/) Everyone leaves behind a legacy after they die, but only few people leave behind a legacy worth talking about. And the person we are talking about here in this course left a lasting, enriching and inspiring legacy worth emulating and remembering. The Legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s Legacy… The lens of De La Salle’s legacy gives us a view of his life where he lived his ordinary life as a “Brother” extra-ordinarily well, by seeing everything through the eyes of faith, that is, seeing every event and situation as God sees. Today, many in our Lasallian family continue La Salle’s act of sacrifice, selflessly responding to the needs of children especially those who are poor and at risk. What is His Legacy? From that meeting with Adrien Nyel at the doorstep of the Convent of the Sisters of the Child Jesus, God has slowly redirected his life from a simple priest to a saint who opened educational opportunities to the abandoned children of the artisans and the poor in Rheims, France. He was led by the Holy Spirit one commitment after another. Shortly after that, he became involved in helping a group of schoolmasters to set up schools in order to provide poor boys with a sound education. The schools were given the name of ‘Christian Schools’. Together with these teachers, De La Salle founded a lay community that took the name of Brothers of the Christian Schools (1680). He then realized that God had led him to undertake something quite unforeseen, namely the initiation of a new kind of consecrated life, that of Religious Brothers. In every commitment, John Baptist de La Salle humbly surrendered to the plan of God by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. A characteristic of a true disciple of God. These commitments led to the establishment of La Salle schools all over the globe and the formation of the Brothers of Christian Schools (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum or FSC as we know them today) John Baptist de La Salle was a pioneer in : training colleges for teachers, reform schools for delinquents, technical schools, and secondary schools for modern languages, arts, and sciences.Since there were very few teachers in his day, De La Salle placed great emphasis on founding Teacher Training Schools John Baptist de La Salle was a pioneer in founding: a network of quality schools throughout France that ○ featured instruction in the vernacular ; students grouped according to ability and achievement: integration of religious instruction with secular subjects, : well-prepared teachers with a sense of vocation and mission, and the involvement of parents. Today, the Brothers place great emphasis on schools or departments for the training of teachers.De La Salle was also one of the first educators in history to have established schools for young criminals convicted in civil courts. The Lasallian world in 2021. This PDF map shows the Lasallian world in 2021. The pins are placed in the general areas when Lasallian ministries are located. There are five Lasallian Global Regions worldwide: 1. RELEM – (Region Lasallienne Europe- Mediterranne) Europe & Mediterranean 2. RELAN – Lasallian Region Of North America 3. RELAL – (Region Latinamericana Lasallista)Latin America 4. RELAF – (Region Lasallianne de Afrique) Africa 5. PARC – (Pacific Asian Regional Conference) Pacific Asia The Lasallian Schools: A.) Around the world The three centuries that separate us from the birth of St. John Baptist De La Salle have been very rich. The proof of this is the continuity of his mission and the affirmation in different contexts of his spiritual heritage. Today, the great De La Salle family is made up of more than 3,230 Brothers, who together with the 103,500 Lasallian Partners and lay collaborators assist in more than 1,130 educational works, with 64 Colleges & Universities in 80 countries more than 1,039,250 million pupils, including children, young people and adults(statistics as of 2020). The educational centers of the Lasallian Institute include all grades: kindergarten, primary education, middle schools, high schools, non-formal educational centers, vocational training centers and universities.(https://www.lasalle.org/en/the-international-lasallian-mission/) B.) De La Salle In the Philippines (https://www.delasalle.ph/dlsp-schools) In 1901, three years after Spain ceded control of the Philippines to the United States, the Americans established a new public education system using English as the medium of instruction. The Catholic educational institutions in the country at that time, however, continued using Spanish as their medium, and this practice raised concerns that the Catholic children would lose out in the quest for leadership roles under the American administration. Meanwhile, the Brothers had by then established their presence in 35 countries, including the United States. Thus, the American Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah Harty, turned to the Brothers to pave the way for the introduction of English-based quality Catholic education in the country. After some hesitation because the endeavor demanded teaching the sons of the economic elite rather than the poor, the Brothers eventually relented, conceding that “upper-class children also needed good moral and spiritual training.” On June 16, 1911, nine brothers from Europe and the United States opened in the district of Paco, just outside the walls of the old city of Manila, the first La Salle school in the Philippines.( https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/history-and-traditions/) Today, the mission of human and Christian education is a wide ranging collaborative effort entrusted to men and women of diverse backgrounds and gifts, who, in creative fidelity to De La Salle’s vision, commit themselves to making the benefits of a transformative human and Christian education available to all, most especially to the poor. Each member of the Lasallian Family lives out this commitment through association in a Lasallian educational project according to his or her particular role and area of competence. By our efforts to ensure the vitality, relevance and effectiveness of the educational project, all who participate in and support such work act as partners in the educational process.( https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/guiding-principles/education) De La Salle Philippines is a network of Lasallians within the Lasallian East Asia District established to facilitate collaboration in the Lasallian Mission and the promotion of the spirit of faith, zeal for service and communion in mission that together, are at the heart of the journey of our Founder, John Baptist de La Salle. C.) De la Salle at Lipa City In 1962, during the first year of DLSL operation, DLSL was operated as the Boy’s Department of the Maryknoll Sisters’ of Our Lady of the Rosary Academy (OLRA) with 221 students admitted from the first to fourth year. Three Brothers and seven lay teachers composed the first staff of the school. Br. Henry Virgil FSC was the first Director and Principal. In its second year of operations, the school obtained a temporary permit to operate as La Salle High School Department. During its fourth year operations, the school population more than doubled. In 1967, the elementary grades were opened , with Bro Vermon Mabille FSC as principal. In 1970, the school became known as De la Salle ng Lipa. It was in the SY 1974-75 when the school started to accept girls. In the years that followed, the school’s incorporation papers and by-laws were amended. The school was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as De La Salle Lipa Inc. In the school year 1982-1983, DLSL received its first High School PAASCU accreditation. The College department came into existence with Mrs Elsie Rabago as the Officer In Charge with an enrollment of 130 in 1985. It offered Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Business Management, agribusiness Management course.(https://www.dlsl.edu.ph/history) De La Salle Christian Brothers Link: De La Salle Christian Brothers Introduction The Brothers are people who follow the call of the Lord and consecrate themselves entirely to Him through the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, in order to dedicate their whole life and strength to the mission of educating children and young people, in other words to being religious educators. They form a community with the other members of the Institute, and they all commit themselves to “keep Christian Schools together and by association”, especially for the service of the poor, and to carry out whatever ministry is entrusted to them, wherever they may be sent. A Brother is a “layman” and does not aim at the priesthood, because his ministry does not involve carrying out the sacred functions of the liturgy or administering the sacraments. His mission consists in educating the pupils in a Christian way through an education which involves both profane and religious contents. He is an apostle whose life is dedicated to helping the pupils in their needs and problems. More than being a friend, he seeks to be a ‘brother’ to each one of them. A Brother is a catechist and an educator in the faith for his pupils. He speaks to them of God, teaches them the truths of faith and helps them to live their lives as Christians, leading them to the knowledge and love of God so that they grow constantly in the faith. He shows care and concern for all the pupils entrusted to him by God, but he has a special love for the poorer pupils, since they have more need of help. A Brother is a teacher by profession. Consequently, he seeks constantly to improve himself through study and personal reflection so as to be able to carry out his duties with greater competence. He lives in union with God, and through prayer and community life, he acquires the strength to carry out his ministry as an educator to bring the pupils closer to God. Following in the steps of the Founder, fourteen (14) Brothers have been canonized, one hundred and fifty (150) have been beatified, eight (8) have been declared venerable and the causes of four (4) more are in progress, some nearing completion. For you to dive in more on the life of the brothers, watch the additional video below: Why they chose to become Brothers De La Salle Brothers of the Philippines The 300 years Death Anniversary of St. John Baptist de La Salle The entire Lasallian community celebrated the 300-year death anniversary of the founder through various activities around the world. An article was released by the De La salle District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea on the Tercentenary Celebration of the founder’s death anniversary. Source: https://www.delasalle.org.au/tercentenary/tercentenary-celebration-de-la-salle.html 300th Death anniversary of De La Salle: De La Salle Lipa took part in the Celebration of the 300th death anniversary of De La Salle: In the celebration of the 300th death anniversary of the founder, St John Baptist De Lasalle, The Lasallians around the world celebrated it with "One Heart, One Commitment, One Life". #300LaSalle - "One Heart, One Commitment, One Life" - De La Salle Lipa by DLS Lipa “One heart, one commitment, one life“. This is how John Baptist De La Salle and his brothers have made these 300 years of history possible. They have allowed for God to touch their hearts, in unison with those of children and poor youth. “To touch the hearts” of people is both a gift and an art. It is not an abstract love rather a concrete commitment expressed in words, gestures, attitudes and actions: welcoming students, paying attention to them, appreciating their efforts, encouraging and supporting the growth process, correcting their mistakes. Are we willing to do all this? 2018 - 2019 Lasallian Hearts on Fire | Lasalliens au coeur ardent | Lasallistas de corazón The Alma Mater Song The De la Salle Anthem/the LaSallian Alma Mater What is an Alma Mater Song? From the Latin word alma meaning "nourishing/kind" and mater which means "mother". The term Alma Mater is an allegorical Latin phrase for a university or college. It is used to refer to a school which an individual has attended. Your alma mater is the place where you received an important part of your education (including, traditionally at least, your formative transition from adolescence to adulthood). An Alma Mater song is the official song, anthem, or hymn of a school, college, or university. It is sung in praise of a college, high school or other scholastic institution which is often heard at school activities, class reunions and may be used as a flashback to old school days. What is the Alma Mater Song of De La Salle schools in the Philippines? The following videos will orient you with the Alma Mater Hymn of De La Salle schools in the Philippines. The first video will give a brief background of the song and how it became the official hymn of La Salle. It features students from various La Salle campuses all over the Philippines. The second video provides you with the translation of the song into different local dialects including the sign language performance from the deaf and mute students of DLSU-College of St. Benilde. And the last video is a stage performance of a very popular alumnus featuring his originally composed song for his high school batch reunion in La Salle Green Hills. Hail To De La Salle! ANTHEM by OOLTLS. (7:36) De La Salle Alma Mater in Different Dialect The Challenge: "We've Won" “ As the battles rage on, even if we just light one soul We've won. Hail Hail We've Won. Hail Hail Hail "We've Won" by Gary Valenciano. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go8l28ZrhiE … when you go out into the world and you light even one soul, you re-ignite something in yourself and you ignite something in somebody else’s life and basically you’ve won no matter what… (Gary Valenciano - WE'VE WON (KADA-UNO LASALYANO VERSION) “If we could reach beyond boundaries, the world will become a brighter place, closer to peace, closer to human fraternity” - Saint John Baptist de La Salle