De La Salle Brothers facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | FSC |
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| Nickname | Lasallians |
| Formation | 1725 |
| Founder | Jean-Baptiste de la Salle |
| Founded at | Rheims, Kingdom of France |
| Type | Lay religious congregation of pontifical right (for men) |
| Purpose | Education |
| Headquarters | Via Aurelia 476, Rome, Italy |
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Region
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Worldwide |
| Services | Education |
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Membership
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2,883 members as of 2023 |
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Secretary General
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Br. Antxon Andueza, FSC |
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Superior General
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Br. Armin A. Luistro, F.S.C. |
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Vicar General
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Br. Carlos Gabriel Gómez Restrepo, FSC |
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Motto
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Latin: Signum Fidei English: Sign of Faith |
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Main organ
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Generalate |
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Parent organization
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Catholic Church |
The De La Salle Brothers are a Catholic group of men who dedicate their lives to education. Their official name is the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. You might also hear them called the Christian Brothers or Lasallian Brothers. They use the abbreviation FSC after their names.
This group was started in France by Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (1651–1719). Today, their main office is in Rome, Italy. It's important to know that the De La Salle Brothers are different from another group also called the Christian Brothers, sometimes known as the Irish Christian Brothers.
As of 2023, there are 2,883 De La Salle Brothers around the world. They help run 1,154 schools and education centers in 78 countries. These schools serve over 1.1 million students. They also work with more than 107,000 teachers and other helpers. You can find Lasallian schools in many places, from developing nations like Nigeria to universities in cities like New York City.
Contents
History of the De La Salle Brothers
How the Order Began
The story of the De La Salle Brothers began in March 1679. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle met a man named Adrian Nyel. Nyel asked La Salle for help to open free schools for poor boys in Reims, France.
La Salle spent his life teaching poor children in these charity schools. The schools grew and became very popular. In 1694, a special training school for teachers was set up in Paris.
Official Recognition and Growth
Six years after La Salle's death, in 1725, the group was officially recognized by the Pope. Their official title became "Brothers of the Christian Schools." Jean-Baptiste de La Salle was made a saint on May 15, 1900. Later, in 1950, Pope Pius XII declared him the "Special Patron of All Teachers of Youth in the Catholic Church."
The order quickly spread across France. During the French Revolution in 1790, the group was temporarily closed. However, Napoleon I brought them back in 1804. Since then, the De La Salle Brothers have expanded their work into almost every country in Europe, Africa, America, Asia, and Australia.
About the De La Salle Order
What Brothers Do
As religious members, the Brothers take three special promises: poverty, chastity, and obedience. This means they promise to live simply, remain unmarried, and follow the rules of their order. Their main office is in Rome, Italy.
The order is divided into five large regions around the world:
- North America (RELAN)
- Asia/Oceania (PARC)
- Europe/Mediterranean (RELEM)
- Africa (RELAF)
- Latin America (RELAL)
In 1990, during the International Year of Literacy/Schooling, the Unesco organization gave the Noma Literacy Prize to Lasallian Institutions. This award recognized their great work in education.
Core Beliefs
The De La Salle Brothers have important guiding principles:
- They believe God is always present.
- They care deeply about the poor and social fairness.
- They aim to create welcoming communities for everyone.
- They show respect to all people.
- They are committed to providing excellent education.
In 2017, there were about 3,800 Brothers. This number is lower than in 1965, mainly because many Brothers are reaching retirement age. Also, fewer new people are joining the order. However, the number of students in Lasallian schools has grown a lot, from about 700,000 to over a million.
Activities of the De La Salle Brothers
Education for All
The main work of the Brothers is education, especially for those who are poor. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle introduced new ways of teaching. He suggested dividing students into different classes based on what they knew. He also taught students to read in their own language, which was new at the time.
As of 2023, the Brothers help run 1,154 education centers in 78 countries. They teach over 1.1 million students and work with more than 107,000 teachers and other helpers.
Other Lasallian Groups
The De La Salle Brothers also work with other groups that share their mission:
- The Guadalupana De La Salle Sisters: This group of Sisters was started by Brother Juan Fromental Cayroche in Mexico. They teach in ten countries today.
- The Congregation of the Lasallian Sisters: These Sisters were founded in Vietnam in 1966. They help care for poor children who were left without families because of the civil war.
- Lasallian Volunteers: These are regular people who volunteer for a year or two. They help teach and support other Lasallian activities.
Protecting the Environment
Brother Paul McAuley, an English Lasallian Brother, went to Peru in 1995. He started a school in a poor area of Lima. Later, he helped indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest. He worked to protect their land from oil and gas companies. He was a strong voice for the environment. He faced challenges because of his work, but he continued to fight for what he believed was right.
Other Ways They Help
Responsible Investing
In 1981, the Institute started Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS). This service helps Catholic organizations invest their money wisely. They encourage companies to act responsibly and improve their practices.
Winery History
The Brothers arrived in Martinez, California, US, in 1868. In 1882, they started making wine for their own use and for church services. They also made brandy. Their wine production grew a lot. During the time of Prohibition (when alcohol was banned), they were only allowed to make wine for church use.
In 1932, after Prohibition ended, they moved their winery to the Napa Valley. They continued to make wine in larger amounts. The money from selling wine helped support the Christian Brothers' schools and programs. In 1989, the vineyards were sold. However, the "Mont La Salle Altar Wines" brand, which makes wine for church services, is still produced today. The Brothers still own the Mont La Salle property, which is now a retreat center.
Lasallian Saints and Blesseds
Saints
- Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (made a saint in 1900)
- Bénilde Romançon (made a saint in 1967)
- Miguel Febres Cordero (made a saint in 1984)
- Mutien-Marie Wiaux (made a saint in 1989)
- Jaime Hilario Barbal (made a saint in 1999)
- Cirilo Bertrán Sanz Tejedor and 7 Companions (made saints in 1999)
- Salomone Leclercq (made a saint in 2016)
Blesseds
- Julian-Nicolas Rèche (recognized as blessed in 1987)
- Jean-Bernard Rousseau (recognized as blessed in 1989)
- Diego Ventaja Milán and 8 Companions (recognized as blessed in 1993)
- Jean-Baptiste Souzy and 63 Companions (recognized as blessed in 1995)
- Leonardo Olivera Buera and 5 Companions (recognized as blessed in 2001)
- Raphaël Rafiringa (recognized as blessed in 2009)
- James Alfred Miller (recognized as blessed in 2019)
Images for kids
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The Signum Fidei (Sign of Faith), the motto of the De La Salle Brothers.
