Today we celebrate the birth of St. John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Christian Brothers and Patron Saint of Teachers. Born on April 30, 1651, De La Salle devoted his life to forming a community of educators grounded not only in skill but in faith, service, and a deep sense of vocation.
He believed in the transformative power of education and worked tirelessly to build a network of schools that served the poor and uplifted communities. His legacy includes houses of formation, spiritual retreats, and a commitment to leading by example. At the time of his death in 1719, more than 100 Brothers had joined his mission. Today, that vision has grown into more than 1,000 Lasallian schools educating over one million students around the world.
We are proud to support the Christian Brothers of the Midwest and their schools, who continue to live out De La Salle’s mission with faith, compassion, and a heart for the young. His influence is not only seen in classrooms, but in the lives changed by the educators he inspired.
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
