Preparing for Catholic Schools Week

Saint John Baptist de LaSalle
1651-1719

Hello, I am Saint John Baptist de LaSalle. This timeline identifies the dates of my birth and death.

Many schools around the world are named after me. As a young priest in France, I became convinced that Catholic education is one of the best ways to help young people rise above poverty and illiteracy. I dedicated my life to training future teachers. I introduced new educational techniques to help future teachers become more effective.

Even though I lived about 300 years ago, I am sure that Catholic schools have a very important role in building a “Character. Compassion. Values.” for this new century. This theme will never grow old because spreading the Good News is something that God wants all of us to do.

I was born into a wealthy family in northern France in 1651. I was ordained a priest at the age of 27. The early years of my priesthood brought me in contact with struggling families. It was at this time that I decided to devote the rest of my life to working with deprived young boys.

I founded the Christian Brothers. Members of this religious community are dedicated to helping high school students become good Christians.

I introduced new teaching methods to attract young men to teaching. I also established many colleges to train and prepare future teachers.

Let me explain something special about my name. It was on June 24, 1682, that I sold many of my worldly possessions. (June 24 is the feast day of St. John the Baptist.) I did not want material things to dominate my life. Instead, I wanted to devote the rest of my life to teaching young boys.

I was canonized a saint in 1900.

In 1950, Pope Pius XXII named me the patron saint of schoolteachers.

My feast day is celebrated on April 7.