St. John Baptist de La Salle

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St. John Baptist de La Salle was born in Rheims, France. He was known as the Father of Modern Pedagogy. He opened free schools for poor children, introducing new teaching methods. He organized the congregation called the Brothers of the Christian Schools, which made great contributions to popular education. Generations of schoolboys have been taught by the Christian Brothers, and their founder, St. John Baptist de la Salle, is familiar in their prayers and devotions. "Brothers Boys" are scattered all over the world and all of them have fond memories of their "De la Salle" days. Read more from Catholic Culture.

Other noteworthy information about the Saint:

He instituted the process of dividing students into grades. Established the first teacher's school. Started high schools and trade schools.

In 1950, because of his life and inspirational writings, he was made Patron Saint of all those who work in the field of education.

Worn out by austerities and exhausting labours, he died at Saint Yon near Rouen early in 1719 on Good Friday, only weeks before his sixty-eighth birthday.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle

Blessed Jesus, Saint John Baptist was the "Father of Modern Education" and the founder of Christian Brothers schools. He made good academic education available to all, not just nobility, and he supported the schools by draining his own wealth. I ask him to pray for all the Catholic, private, and public schools that are in my town, and for our children to be given teachers who have good ethics. O God, purge harmful teachings from our classrooms, and bless the faculty and administrators as they make decisions on how their schools and classes should be run. Saint John Baptist, pray for us. Amen. (by Terry Ann Modica)

Links:
A short history of the De La Salle Christian Brothers.
Christian Brothers Vocations.

Image from Catholic Forum