St. John Baptist de la Salle– Patron Saint of Teachers

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org

John Baptist de la Salle was a French priest, educational reformer, and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Born to a wealthy family in Rheims, France in 1651, La Salle felt called to the priesthood very early in life. La Salle received the tonsure at age 11 and was named canon of Rheims Cathedral when he was 16. He was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 26. 

Inspired by a fellow Frenchman who had opened four schools for poor boys, Fr. LaSalle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools. They were the first religious order established to educate the poor. La Salle was one of the first to emphasize classroom teaching over individual instruction and age-level grades. He taught students in their native language instead of instructing them in Latin, as was commonly done. Students were also encouraged to learn a trade so they could support themselves and a family after they completed their education.

John Baptist de la Salle died in 1719 and was canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. He was named "Patron Saint of Teachers" by Pope Pius XII in 1950. We celebrate his feast day on April 7.