Our Founder
Discover the life of St John Baptist De La Salle, from his privileged childhood to founding the Brothers of the Christian Schools and his lasting legacy in education.
In the beginning....
Significant events in the life of the Founder - St John Baptist De La Salle
“To touch the hearts of your students is the
greatest miracle you can perform.” (Med 139.3
– feast of St Peter)1
A Privileged Childhood
The young De La Salle as a Canon, in front of his birth home. Today it is a De La Salle Museum and a small group of brothers live there.
An Erudite Education
The grand Cathedral in Reims where De La Salle spent 16 years as a canon and then as a priest.
Adrian Nyel introduced De La Salle into starting a school (March 15 1679)
Adrian Nyel met De La Salle at the door of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Child Jesus.
De La Salle took in the teachers and instructed them (1683)
De La Salle used his inheritance to feed the poor.
Growth of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
“Show much kindness and love for the young people you teach.” (Med 134.2—on St. Barnabas)
The legacy of St John Baptist De La Salle
“I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.”
De La Salle found the Brothers of the Christian Schools (1686)
De La Salle and the Brothers take their first vows on Trinity Sunday, 1686.