John Baptist de La Salle was born in France in 1651. His family was wealthy and noble, but by the age of 11 young John was preparing for the priesthood. After earning a doctorate in theology, he could have pursued a more scholarly life, but he realized his calling was the education of poor children. He formed a consecrated lay community known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and he and the Brothers began opening a network of schools across France. He pioneered the practice of dividing students into grades, started the first high schools and trade schools, and is the patron saint of all teachers. The De La Salle Brothers of the Christian Schools today have over 3,000 Brothers in 80 countries carrying on his mission.
CHALLENGE
When St. John Baptist de La Salle’s parents died and he inherited $400,000, he kept only enough to ensure he had a salary the same as the rest of the Brothers so as not to be a burden to them and gave the rest to the poor in the form of bread during a terrible famine. Today, contact a local Catholic school and arrange to provide food such as donuts, cookies, or even lunch for the teachers and staff.
In France in 1572, Jane Frances Frémyot was born to the president of the local parliament. Her mother died when Jane was only 18 months old, and her devout father ensured Jane was well-raised and educated. When she was 21 he arranged for her to be married to the Baron de Chantal, a son of one of his friends. Jane had four children before the Baron was killed in a hunting accident, and widowed at 28, she moved in with her father-in-law to secure her children’s inheritance. Under the spiritual direction of St. Francis de Sales she founded the Congregation of the Visitation, an order for women whose health or age prevented them from joining other orders. Jane was deeply devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and grew her order to 86 houses before her death at age 69.
CHALLENGE
St. Jane de Chantal faced many adversities in her life, but she found ways to turn adversity into fruits for God. Adversity comes in many forms. What matters isn’t the adversity you face, but how you face it. What adversity is a part of your life? Bring it to your spiritual director, and figure out how you can turn your adversity into fruits for God.
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