The Fratelli Project – Lebanon
The Solidarity and Development Secretariat at the Casa Generalizia in Rome has been involved in the Fratelli Project for some years, where the Marist Brothers and the De La Salle Christian Brothers have joined in Lebanon to accompany Syrian, Iraqi and Lebanese children who have difficulties to study due to the armed conflicts in their countries.
This is a recent video of their ongoing ministry. More information and links in the longer description below.
Length: 4:40 min.
The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.
Books by Br. Louis DeThomasis, FSC
Br. Louis DeThomasis, FSC, is a De La Salle Christian Brother. Below are some of the books that he has authored on issues of concern to the Catholic Church and on ethical considerations in the world of business. From 2008 to 2017, Brother Louis served as president and chairman of CBIS. Founded in 1981, the Catholic investment service provides socially responsible investment management exclusively to Catholic institutions worldwide. Today, CBIS manages $7 billion in assets for dioceses, colleges, and universities; religious institutes; and health care systems, and has offices in the United States and Europe.
Widely recognized for his distinguished academic leadership in service to Lasallian education, Brother Louis served for 21 years as president of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and continues today as the university’s president emeritus, professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and distinguished senior fellow with the Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership.
Brother Louis earned a bachelor of science degree in international relations from Georgetown University, conducted graduate study in theology at Providence College in Providence, R.I., and earned a doctorate in economics and financial management from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati. He also completed postdoctoral studies as a Bush Fellow at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.
Advent Reflection Videos
These short Advent reflections are centered around the week’s Gospel, De La Salle’s meditations, and a contemporary application of their intent. They may be used for personal reflection, group conversation, or the like. (6.5 – 7.5 minutes long each)
Here are direct links to the individual video reflections and to a PDF with the readings:
John Baptist de La Salle and Special Education
This book was first published in 1988 but has been out of print for many years. It is a study of the Lasallian educational enterprises that were established by St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools at St. Yon in Rouen, France. It was here that one of the first secondary school curriculums was developed, along with a facility for court-adjudicated youth (and even adults).
The book provides many early principles, guidelines, and practices associated with educating unique and special students according to the same methologies and priorities that had already been effectively implemented at the elementary school level throughout France.
The book will be especially of interest to Youth and Family Service agencies, counselors, and others who work with youth with special needs.
Author: Othmar Würth
Publisher: Christian Brothers Conference
Paperback (137 Pages)
Beginnings: De La Salle and His Brothers
This little book was first published in 1980, and it has been out of print for many years. Yet it deserves much wider circulation, because it contains foundational context essays about St. John Baptist de La Salle. All were written by preeminent Lasallian scholars of the time.
Association – Statements from Institute Documents Since 1928
These are selections from documents from the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools concerning “association” and its developed understanding and application.
The original documents that are cited in this overview are listed below. Each listing below is also a direct link to a PDF version of the entire document, or a text that includes the entire document.
Collected and compiled by Dr. Greg Kopra – Director, Formation for Mission (District of San Francisco New Orleans)
1989 Letter to the Lasallian Family
This Letter to the Lasallian Family was a seminal publication from the General Council of the time. It speaks ab out a variety of topics that are relevant to any discussion of “Association” in contemporary times.
The PDF version provided here is also an OCR version, so that you can search for key terms of phrases.
Four-Week Lasallian Prayerbook (2019
This is a collection of morning, evening, and night prayer services, following Lasallian themes, arranged into a four-week cycle. Musical options and a variety of readings are included.
The Life of John Baptist de La Salle: A Biography in Three Books
A three-volume set of books that provide the most comprehensive biography of St. John Baptist de La Salle that we have.
To Touch Hearts: The Pedagogical Spirituality of St. John Baptist de La Salle
This book draws from two essential Lasallian works – The Conduct of Schools and the Meditations of John Baptist de La Salle – and develops characteristics of the pedagogical spirituality that they represent. The educational charism started in Reims in 1680 by De La Salle and his Brothers reaches around the globe today, touching educators of every kind. The book provides a deeper examination of what lies behind that popularity and ongoing relevance.
Author: George Van Grieken, FSC
Publisher: Christian Brothers Conference
Paperback (403 Pages)
Lasallian Research Platform
This is a central online location for scholars to discover research projects and collaboration opportunities.
Hosted at Bethlehem University, the website describes itself as a Lasallian Research Network initiative designed to facilitate research collaboration in a wide variety of subject areas between faculty at the 64 Lasallian institutions of higher education.
The website is rr.bethlehem.edu
This Is Our Lasallian Story
This video shares a series of short vignettes about various Lasallian educational ministries around the world, many of them working the marginalized and needy. It is a wonderful, professionally created compendium of the range of Lasallian ministries. Both teachers, Brothers, students, and others involved in this mission contribute to a reflective narrative that highlights the unique loving approach of Lasallian ministry, supremely sensitive to others and eminently practical in addressing real needs.
Produced by The Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD), Go Motion and Playhouse Studio – Philippines, Manhattan College – New York
Length: 47 min.
The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.
FSC Institute & RELAN Statistics
This page provides the latest statistics about the Brothers of the Christian Schools and their ministries throughout the world and within the Region of North America. (See below)
The Institute statistics come from the Memento, an annual summary from the Generalate in Rome. A PDF may be downloaded of this booklet.
The RELAN statistics comes from CARA (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate), which published an annual report for the Lasallian Region of North America. Summary information is provided below. A PDF of the entire report may be downloaded through the link provided.
The Teacher’s Saint – The Life and Times of St. John Baptist de La Salle.
This short, accessible biography of the life and times of St. John Baptist de La Salle is written for all those who are interested enough in his life to want to know more but who don’t have the time or inclination to read longer biographies such as those by Luke Salm or Alfred Calcutt. Written in an appealing style, the main outlines of his life are presented, along with an introductory section that lays out the social, political, and religious context of his time.
Author: George Van Grieken, FSC
Publisher: Christian Brothers Conference
Paperback (110 Pages)
NOTE: There is a 20% discount through the Saint Mary’s Press website for purchases of 2 or more copies with the code:TEACHERSAINT!
The book is available on Amazon as well.
The Letters of John Baptist De La Salle
This volume contains the letters that were written by. Although few in number, their contents provides a unique and personal insight into the relationship so of De La Salle and the first Brothers with whom he shaped the Institute. There are also some letters to individuals for whom he was a spiritual director..
The introduction and commentary by Colman Malloy, FSC, and Augustine Loes, FSC, gives the context for each of the letters and gives an overview of what they reveal about the writer of these letters.
(1988; 304 pp.)
Translated by Colman Malloy, FSC. Edited by Augustine Loes, FSC.
Volume 1 of Lasallian Sources: The Complete Works of John Baptist de La Salle
Publisher: Christian Brothers Conference – Lasallian Region of North America
Must-Have Digital Lasallian Resources
The resources listed below are mostly available online and are indispensable in the work of creating and facilitating Lasallian mission formation programs at a Lasallian schools or institution. Unless otherwise noted, all of these resources are available through this Lasallian Resource Center website.
The resources list was compiled by Dr. Greg Kopra for the “Local Formators Gathering” of the SFNO District in April 2019.
January 30th – Feast of St. Br. Mutien-Marie Wiaux, FSC
Lasallian Reflection – January 2020 – No Boxing Gloves Allowed
WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT
Inspiration
A short, compact, and rich video that reflects the breadth and depth of the Lasallian mission, both in the United States and around the world.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
I, John Baptist de La Salle
A short, easy-to-read biography of John Baptist de La Salle, appropriate for new students, faculty, and others.
An Educator and a Saint at Grips with the Society of His Time: John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1718)
A very accessible orientation to the seventeenth-century France in which the Lasallian Educational Movement had its origins.
Catholic Online / Prayers
A good placed to find Catholic prayers and prayer services, plus other resources that may be of help.
Lasalliana – Volume 4
Published: October 1, 1984
The individual articles for this Volume are found below.
These sets of 2-page studies and reflections on Lasallian topics began in September 1983 and were published every year in three volumes up to 2001. Each volume contained 20 separate leaflets on specific themes or topics by Brothers and others from around the world. Many Brothers and others have benefited from these compact nuggets on various aspects of De La Salle, Lasallian education, the Institute, and the like. There are 53 sets or “volumes” of this publication, providing over 1,000 individual resources for perusal, research, and Lasallian formation.
A full BINDER set of all Lasallian articles is HERE.
Lasalliana – Volume 41
Published: 1997
The individual articles for this Volume are found below.
This is a special issue for 1997, focused on the Lasallian Mission, with three articles included:
From Brother John Johnston, Superior General
– Our Lasallian Mission in France: Today and Tomorrow.
– The Specificity of the Lasallian School Today.
From Brother Michel Sauvage
– Perspectives of Refoundation.
The Story of De La Salle
This children’s book, created by the ARLEP District (Spain & Portugal), tells the story of St. John Baptist de La Salle, using his own voice. The artwork and the text are designed for use with young children. It was produced for the 300th anniversary of De La Salle’s passing into eternal life and has been translated into English in order to reach a larger audience.
The Letters of John Baptist De La Salle
This volume contains the letters that were written by. Although few in number, their contents provides a unique and personal insight into the relationship so of De La Salle and the first Brothers with whom he shaped the Institute. There are also some letters to individuals for whom he was a spiritual director..
The introduction and commentary by Colman Malloy, FSC, and Augustine Loes, FSC, gives the context for each of the letters and gives an overview of what they reveal about the writer of these letters.
(1988; 304 pp.)
Translated by Colman Malloy, FSC. Edited by Augustine Loes, FSC.
Volume 1 of Lasallian Sources: The Complete Works of John Baptist de La Salle
Publisher: Christian Brothers Conference – Lasallian Region of North America
Brother John Johnston Institute
This two-year series of workshops, online learning units, and annual retreats that apply the Lasallian story and vision to contemporary realities.
Encounters at Parmenie
This small book provides an introduction and overview of the retreat center of Parmenie, near Grenoble, where St. John Baptist de La Salle made several key decisions about his life journey and his vocation as the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
Pastoral Letters
The annual letter from the Brother Superior General to the Brothers and more recently including the greater Lasallian family.
Brother Martyrs of the French Revolution
A very short video about the Brother Martyrs of the French Revolution that may be used for a prayer service or simply as a brief introduction to their story.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Lasalliana – Volume 21
Published: May 1, 1991
The individual articles for this Volume are found below.
These sets of 2-page studies and reflections on Lasallian topics began in September 1983 and were published every year in three volumes up to 2001. Each volume contained 20 separate leaflets on specific themes or topics by Brothers and others from around the world. Many Brothers and others have benefited from these compact nuggets on various aspects of De La Salle, Lasallian education, the Institute, and the like. There are 53 sets or “volumes” of this publication, providing over 1,000 individual resources for perusal, research, and Lasallian formation.
Lasalliana – Volume 52
Published: May 1, 2000
The individual articles for this Volume are found below.
These sets of 2-page studies and reflections on Lasallian topics began in September 1983 and were published every year in three volumes up to 2001. Each volume contained 20 separate leaflets on specific themes or topics by Brothers and others from around the world. Many Brothers and others have benefited from these compact nuggets on various aspects of De La Salle, Lasallian education, the Institute, and the like. There are 53 sets or “volumes” of this publication, providing over 1,000 individual resources for perusal, research, and Lasallian formation.
Lasallian Videos – by Ed Sirois
These videos were created by Mr. Ed Sirois, a religion teacher at La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. There were made for the morning prayer times for the school’s student-body, focusing attention on a specific person, event, or commemoration that was the subject of prayer that day.
Each video is short, poignant, and well-focused.
A full list of the videos, aligned with an academic-year calendar, is available HERE.
A YouTube channel with his videos is located HERE.
MEL 8/9 – “The Educator’s Life Journey”
A booklet from Rome providing twelve themes for the initial formation of Lasallian educators.
Study Guide for Circular 461
This is a reflections and discussion guide for reading Circular 461. Each section of the Circular is addressed with three questions that elicit the reader’s personal response, and a series of additional questions that examine specific points in the document. Designed for group use.
The Life of John Baptist de La Salle: A Biography in Three Books
A three-volume set of books that provide the most comprehensive biography of St. John Baptist de La Salle that we have.