Praying with John Baptist de La Salle
A Lasallian prayer resource with specifically themed meditations for use with groups or private prayer and reflection.
www.dlsfootsteps.org
A virtual pilgrimage of De La Salle’s personal vocation story that includes videos, text, photos, panoramic immersion, Google street maps, and more. In 2018, the site was completely redesigned and made responsive to small or large screens. New HD versions of the videos were also added. An accompanying, dynamically linked PDF booklet takes individuals and groups through the journey via narrative, video links, and formative questions.
Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies
A three-year set of two-week summer courses that focuses on the Lasallian founding story, De La Salle’s educational vision, and De La Salle’s spiritual vision. It seeks to deepen the participants’ association for Lasallian mission and provides a rich opportunity to meet and study with Lasallian from throughout the US/Canada Region and the world.
Advanced Degrees in Lasallian Studies
Formal studies in Lasallian studies are available at both Saint Mary’s University and Saint Mary’s College of California. (Link through each institution’s name.)
Circular 461 – Associated for the Lasallian Mission …an act of HOPE
This Circular is a foundational document on the key dimension of “association” and its central place in Lasallian life and mission.
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.
Manhattan College – Lasallian Stained Glass Windows
These stained glass windows of John Baptist de La Salle, originally created in 1900, were moved to the chapel at Manhattan College in 2016.
The windows guide viewers as they move through the Chapel to visualize moments in the Saint’s life — from his childhood in Reims, to the vow he took with his Brothers, to his death in Rouen and his glorification in heaven, where he is welcomed by Christ and acknowledged as a great teacher by Saint Ignatius Loyola.
They may be seen on the Manhattan College website (LINK) where there is also an online tour via the internet (LINK)
Below in the tab “WINDOWS” are large files that show each of the windows in detail.
There is also a video that gives the history, process, and results of a project to relocate the Lasallian stained glass windows from the former Novitiate building in Barrytown, NY, to the chapel at Manhattan College in the Bronx. It is a good discussion starter on the topic of alumni engagement and Lasallian art. (13 Minutes)
You can either clink the link below or watch it under the tab below “Show the Video.”
Lasallian Life – The Brothers
A short video about the De La Salle Christian Brothers, as told by themselves and those who work with them.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Vocation of a De La Salle Christian Brother
A short video about vocation of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, as told in their own words, and the impressions of others.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Br. Felix Masson, FSC
A short video biography of a De La Salle Christian Brother who spent most of his life in the Philippines.
(The “Show the VIDEO” tab below lets you run the video from here.)
Catholic Online / Prayers
A good placed to find Catholic prayers and prayer services, plus other resources that may be of help.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle: Patron Saint of Teachers
A remastered version of the 1968 movie, starring Mel Ferrer, that traces De La Salle’s vocation journey and the beginnings of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. While perhaps a bit dated, it remains popular with students and could be used beneficially with a number of audiences.
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.
Guide Book – www.dlsfootsteps.org
This is a redesigned 2018 PDF booklet that accompanies the www.footsteps.org website. It starts with a complete short biography of St. John Baptist de La Salle, and includes text, photographs, live links to videos and relevant website pages from specific locations in France associated with his life. Reflection questions for personal and group processing are also included. The booklet may be printed out or used on a computer or tablet, so that the links to videos and web pages might be engaged along with the text.
Let Us Remember – SATB Setting 2 (Copy)
This is a SATB setting of the phrase “Let us remember that we are in Holy Presence of God.” It is based on a simple melody that became the basis of a choral setting, one that went through two iterations by two different composers. As such, it is a collaborative Lasallian effort.
It may be used to begin prayer services at schools, school events, choral concerts, or other settings where a short, reflective choral piece would be an asset.
Composers: Br. George Van Grieken, FSC; Otto Wild: Br. Martin Yribarren, FSC
Painting – Children Leaving School – Benjamin Vautier (1829-1898)
This popular painting by Benjamin Vautier (1829-1898) shows a group of boys leaving school amidst a snowy scene, with a Brother at the door watching them with benign amusement. Links are below.
Painting A – At the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) – Downloadable with conditions.
Painting B – Professionally copied versions available for purchase.
Print – Online
Artwork by Various Brothers – Black and White & Color
Below are sets of drawings and other artwork from Brothers of the Institute. They include works by the following Brothers:
- Br. Felipe Ocadiz, FSC
- Br. Fermin Gainza, FSC
- Br. Mario Barrios, FSC
- Br. Joseph Hiep, FSC
Each gallery includes options for viewing them and downloading them.
Brothers of the San Francisco New Orleans District – VIDEOS
These brief 3-4 minute videos by Joseph Alexander-Short are wonderful, poignant, and inspiring insights into the lives of some of the Brothers of the San Francisco New Orleans District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. They are part of an effort both to share the rich vocational heritage of the province and to make the vocation of the Brother more generally known and appreciated.
Below are the updated set of individual videos.
New videos will be posted on this page as they are released.
Prayer & Formation Resources for Lasallian Groups
These sets of resources around specific themes are meant to be used for prayer and discussion by Lasallian educators, administrators, board members, students, and others interested in pursuing their Lasallian identity.
Many of these began with a Board focus and were adapted for use with school groups, teacher groups, Brother groups, and any groups of gathered Lasallians. If portions of them are used in other prayer services, it would appropriate to give proper attribution to the sources used.
Introduction – Meditations for the Time of Retreat
This is a short overview of the 16 meditations that De La Salle wrote for the Brothers during their annual retreat. These meditations provide a concise synthesis of De La Salle’s spirituality – the priorities, themes, approaches, and perspectives that characterize the Lasallian educational context. They are meant to be read and considered in a retreat-like setting and are worth careful reading and ongoing reflection.
The video is one of a series of videos introducing major Lasallian resources available in print. (In process)
(7.5 Minutes)
Film Maker: Br. George Van Grieken, FSC