Lasallian Panorama: The History of the Brothers of the Christian Schools: 1651 – 1810
This book makes available Volume 1 and Volume 2 of a planned five-volume condensed summary of the history of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. This book covers the history of the Institute from1651, when St. John Baptist de La Salle was born, through the initial years and the subsequent century, and ending at about 1810. As such, it gives a brief overview of the first 130 years of the existence of the Institute.
Length: 355 Pages
Editor: Br. Hubert Gerard, FSC (Edward Schmitz)
Saint John Baptist de La Salle: Founder, Educator, Saint
A comprehensive introduction to the life of John Baptist de La Salle, his unique pedagogical approach towards students, and his enduring spirituality. A brief survey of his personal life story leads to a description of the innovative educational elements he and the early Brothers introduced, followed by a concise summary of the elements of his education-based spirituality.
This resource may be used by itself or with the study guides that are available for its use within Lasallian institutions. It makes for a very accessible overview for both new and veteran teachers and administrators.
Please look at the link icons below for the file size that is most appropriate for your device:
– SMALL FILE – 8 MB
– MEDIUM FILE – 60 MB
– LARGE FILE – 288 MB
Physical copies are available upon request from Katie Batt (kbatt@dlsi.org).
Publisher: District of San Francisco New Orleans
Prayer for the Coronavirus Outbreak
This is a prayer to address concerns around the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
It was written by Kerry Weber from America Magazine.
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.
April 16 – Our Lady of Good Counsel
April 7 – Death of De La Salle
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.
St. Mutien-Marie Wiaux
A very short video about St. Mutien-Marie Wiaux, FSC, that may be used for a prayer service or simply as a brief introduction to his life story.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Photomosaic of St. John Baptist de La Salle
This is an image of St. John Baptist de La Salle that was created from a large collection of photographs from around the Lasallian world. The further back you step from it, the more the image emerges. It illustrates the fact that the face of De La Salle today is present and lived through all those who are part of his educational heritage.
Lasalliana – Volume 42
Published: September 1, 1997
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.
TIMELINES – St. John Baptist de La Salle
Below are three online timelines that highlight significant events in the life of St. John Baptist de La Salle.
Some are more detailed than others. They may be well used with students, teachers, and others who are interested in the linear events of De La Salle’s life.
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.
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 James Miller
A very short video about Servant of God, James Miller, FSC, that may be used for a prayer service or simply as a brief introduction to his life story.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Lasalliana – Volume 22
Published: October 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 53
Published: September 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.
St. John Baptist De La Salle: Journey of a Man
This one-man show by Michael Cook, now-retired professor of drama at Saint Mary’s College of California, presents the life of St. John Baptist de La Salle in an engaging, dramatic, and comprehensive fashion. No one has ever done such a depiction of this Patron Saint of Teachers, and Michael does justice to all of the story’s drama, nuances, and sets of characters involved.
The production was written by Michael, his wife Jeffra, and Dan Cauthon, along with a host of other collaborators. It is a project that came about as a project taken on while he was part of the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies.
Actor: Michael Cook
For further credits see the RESOURCE DESCRIPTION tab below.
Length: 1 hour
(The entire 3-hour production, it is available at THIS link.)
The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from 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.