The
Founder
JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE
Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Patron of Christian Teachers
John Baptist de La Salle was born into a world very different from our own. He was the first son of wealthy parents living in France over 300 years ago. Born at Reims, John Baptist de La Salle received the tonsure at age eleven and was named Canon of the Reims Cathedral at sixteen.
Though he had to assume the administration of family affairs after his parents died, he completed his theological studies and was ordained a priest on April 9, 1678. Two years later he received a doctorate in theology. Meanwhile, he became tentatively involved with a group of rough and barely literate young men in order to establish schools for poor boys.
At that time a few people lived in luxury, but most of the people were extremely poor: peasants in the country, and slum dwellers in the towns. Only, a few could send their children to school; most children had little hope for the future. Moved by the plight of the poor who seemed so “far from salvation” either in this world or the next, he determined to put his own talents and advanced education at the service of the children “often left to themselves and badly brought up.”
To be more effective, he abandoned his family home, moved in with the teachers, renounced his position as Canon and his wealth, and so formed the community that became known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
His enterprise met opposition from the ecclesiastical authorities who resisted the creation of a new form of religious life, a community of consecrated laymen to conduct gratuitous schools” together and by association.” The educational establishment resented his innovative methods and his insistence on gratuity for all, regardless of whether they could afford to pay. Nevertheless, De La Salle and his Brothers succeeded in creating a network of quality schools throughout France that featured instruction in the vernacular, students grouped according to ability and achievement, integration of religious instruction with secular subjects, well-prepared teachers with a sense of vocation and mission, and the involvement of parents.
In addition, De La Salle pioneered in programs for training lay teachers, Sunday courses for working young men, and one of the first institutions in France for the care of delinquents. 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.
John Baptist de La Salle was a pioneer in founding training colleges for teachers, reform schools for delinquents, technical schools, and secondary schools for modern languages, arts, and sciences. His work quickly spread through France and, after his death, continued to spread across the globe.
In 1900 John Baptist de La Salle was declared a Saint. In 1950, because of his life and inspirational writings, he was made Patron Saint of all those who work in the field of education. John Baptist de La Salle inspired others how to teach and care for young people, how to meet failure and frailty with compassion, how to affirm, strengthen and heal. At the present time, there are De La Salle schools in 79 different countries around the globe.
Born at Reims, France April 30, 1651
Ordained priest April 9, 1678
Died April 7, 1719
Beatified February 19, 1888
Canonized May 24, 1900
Proclaimed Patron of Christian Teachers May 15, 1950
Source: www.lasalle.org
https://www.lasalle.org/en/lasallian-holiness/st-john-baptist-de-la-salle/
Vision
We envision a school of Lasallian excellence that provides a transformative and learner-centered environment and where students become productive global citizens.
Mission
Together and by association, our mission is to provide the youth in a culturally and religiously diverse society in Iligan and Northern Mindanao with excellent, holistic, and inclusive education responsive to the real world.
La Salle Academy upholds the core values of Faith in God, Zeal for Service, and Communion in Mission. It produces graduates equipped with 21st-century skills.
HISTORY
LA SALLE ACADEMY
Chronicles of Significance: Key Years in La Salle Academy's History Explored
The Beginnings
1958
First group of De La Salle Brothers led by Br. Crescentius Richard arrived in Iligan and took over Saint Columban’s Academy. The school was located in downtown Iligan, a stone’s throw from the St. Michael’s Cathedral. Its faculty then included such veteran educators like Miss Rosario Tsukimata (an affiliated Member of the Brothers), Kagawad Pedro Generalao (founding Principal of Iligan City High School), Mr. FelicitoRugay (founding Director-Principal of Andres Soriano Memorial School, Lutopan, Cebu and TranquilinoValderama Memorial School, Bubunawan, Bukidnon; and the Andres Soriano Jr. Learning Center, Aroroy, Masbate); and Mr. Carmelito Silva.
1960
The transfer to the new site in 1960 was accompanied by a change of name to La Salle Academy. Brother Honorius Alfred Shields FSC, the second Director and co-author of the Biology for the Philippine High Schools, supervised the transfer to the nipa and bamboo structures and then, the construction of the permanent buildings in 1961. It must be mentioned that all this time La Salle was an exclusive school for boys.
1967
The next development in the school came in 1967 when La Salle opened its doors to Grade 5. It was arranged with the RVM Sisters that lower grades boys and girls would study at St. Michael’s College grade school. For grade 5, the girls remained while the boys moved to La Salle. Thus, began the nucleus of the La Salle Academy grade school.
The
BROTHERS
DE LA SALLE BROTHERS OF THE PHILIPPINES
THE BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS IS A ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS TEACHING CONGREGATION, FOUNDED IN FRANCE BY SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE— A PRIEST WHO SAW THE NEED FOR A GROUP OF LAY MEN WHO WOULD DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO THE MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY FOR THE POOR. THEY ARE MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "DE LA SALLE BROTHERS".
The arrival of the Brothers in the Philippines was put into motion by one man, Archbishop Jeremiah James Harty, the first American Archbishop of Manila. He arrived in Manila during a time where strong anti-friar sentiments, mainly due to the aftermath of the Philippine Revolution, were causing the established Catholic institutions to lose ground to their secular counterparts. Archbishop Harty maintained a passionate belief in Christian education. It was his ardent desire to establish a school that would provide young boys with a solid Catholic Education and, at the same time, teach them the English Language.
The American Archbishop had a great admiration for the type of education that the Brothers of the Christian Schools offered. In 1904, he requested Br. Clementian, then Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, to open a school in the Philippines, but his initial request was rejected. However, Archbishop Harty persisted with his requests and eventually received a Papal mandate in 1907 for the Brothers to formally open a school in Manila.
On the 10th of March 1911, the three Founding Brothers arrived in Manila via Europe. Brs. Blimond Pierre (Eilenbecker), Aloysius Gonzaga (McGiverin) and Augusto Correge became guests of Archbishop Harty. In two months time, on 13 May, the six remaining Brothers of the Founding Community arrived in Manila. They were Br. Ptolomee Louis (Duffaux), Br. Goslin Camillus (Henri), Br. D. Joseph, Br. Celba John (Lynam), Br. Imar William (Reale), and Br. Martin.
De La Salle College officially opened its doors to 125 youngsters on 16 June 1911 in a 13,000-square meter property on Nozaleda Street in Paco, Manila. By 10 July, the total number to students reached 175. Forty were boarding students, while those who took a mid-day meal on campus were termed half-boarders. Br. Blimond, a native of France, became the first head of the college.
Today, there are now 50 professed Filipino Brothers. These men continue the legacy set forth by the Founding Brothers and the mission of the Founder 300 years ago.
Source: De La Salle Philippines