- St. John Baptist de la Salle
the founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian schools, John Baptist de la Salle was born April 30, 1651, in Reims, France.
His family had hoped that he would study law. But his heart lay elsewhere and he entered the seminary. When his parents died, he returned home temporarily to help with the education of his brothers and sisters. John was finally ordained on Holy Saturday, April 9, 1678.
The young priest was asked to help at a new free school in Reims. he found that he enjoyed working with the students and teachers, and decided to make education his full-time ministry. he even gave away his fortune as a sign that he would do anything for this good work.
John founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a religious community dedicated to the Christian education of youth. In an unconventional move, John decided that the new institute would be composed only of religious brothers, adding that no brother would aspire to priesthood. his new congregation helped to establish the ministry of the religious brother in the Church.
He died on Good Friday, April 7, 1719. His feast is April 7.
In the early days of the monasteries, the abbots would employ men to work the fields. These men were not ordained but became known as brothers. In 2012, approximately 4,477 religious brothers served in the United States.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw