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.
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