John Baptist de La Salle
| Jean-Baptiste de La Salle | |
|---|---|
Official portrait of St. John Baptist de La Salle
by Pierre Leger (date unknown) |
|
| Priest and founder of La Salle Schools and of the Brothers of the Christian Schools or FSC (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum) | |
| Born |
April 30, 1651 Reims, Champagne, Kingdom of France |
| Died | April 7, 1719 (aged 67) Rouen, Normandy Kingdom of France |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | February 19, 1888, Saint Peter's Basilica by Pope Leo XIII |
| Canonized | May 24, 1900, Saint Peter's Basilica by Pope Leo XIII |
| Major shrine | Sanctuary of John Baptist de La Salle, Casa Generalizia, Rome, Italy |
| Feast | Church: April 7 May 15 (General Roman Calendar 1904-1969, and Lasallian institutions) |
| Attributes | stretched right arm with finger pointing up, instructing one or two children standing near him, books |
| Patronage | Teachers of Youth, (May 15, 1950, Pius XII), Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Lasallian educational institutions, educators, school principals, teachers |
John Baptist de La Salle (April 30, 1651 – April 7, 1719) was a French priest, educational reformer, and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church and the patron saint of teachers.
De La Salle dedicated much of his life to the education of poor children in France; in doing so, he started many lasting educational practices. He is considered the founder of the first Catholic schools.
De La Salle was born to a wealthy family in Rheims, France on April 29, although some say 30, in 1651. He was the oldest child of Louis de La Salle and Nicolle de Moet de Brouillet. Nicolle's family was a noble one and ran a successful winery business and she was a relative of Claude Moët, founder of Moët & Chandon.
La Salle received the tonsure at age eleven and was named canon of Rheims Cathedral when he was sixteen. He was sent to the College des Bons Enfants, where he pursued higher studies and, on July 10, 1669, he took the degree of Master of Arts. When De La Salle had completed his classical, literary, and philosophical courses, he was sent to Paris to enter the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice on October 18, 1670. His mother died on July 19, 1671, and on April 9, 1672, his father died. This circumstance obliged him to leave Saint-Sulpice on April 19, 1672. He was now twenty-one, the head of the family, and as such had the responsibility of educating his four brothers and two sisters. He completed his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 26 on April 9, 1678. Two years later he received a Doctorate in Theology.
De La Salle was a man of refined manners, a cultured mind, and great practical ability, in whom personal prosperity was balanced with kindness and affability. In physical appearance he was of commanding presence, somewhat above the medium height. He had large, penetrating blue eyes and a broad forehead.
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