Discover your purpose. Discern your call.
Our Charism
Founded over 300 years ago by Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers, the Brothers are a Catholic religious order vowed to pray, live and minister together. As “ambassadors and ministers of Jesus Christ,” the Brothers consecrate their life to God to bring the Gospel to the world of education. Our fraternity, lived out in community and educational ministry, as religious, is a prophetic sign for the Church and for our world.
“The purpose of this Institute is to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.” – The Rule of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Founding Story
As a priest from a noble family, La Salle never anticipated founding a religious order, especially one dedicated to education. Moved by the plight of the poor who seemed to be far from salvation, La Salle discerned that God was calling him through a gradual process to commit his life to the Christian Schools. He began by inviting the teachers into his home for a retreat and some basic teacher training. He then moved into a new house with the teachers and formed the community that became known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
Against fierce opposition from the educational establishment and certain Church leaders La Salle understood that God had led him to create a new form of religious life – a community of consecrated laymen dedicated to conduct gratuitous schools “together and by association.”
“God, who guides all things with wisdom and serenity…willed to commit me entirely to the development of the schools.” – St. John Baptist de La Salle
The Brothers Today
Throughout the world today the Brothers carry on De La Salle’s mission in over 80 countries, ministering to over 1 million students each day. The Brothers commit to being “guardian angels to the children entrusted to their care” and model for their students the love of the Father, and the relationship of the Trinity. They serve as “big brothers” to their students, helping them along their faith journey by continually bringing their students and their needs to God, and bringing God to their students. Today, Brothers serve as teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators and in a variety of other educational roles.
“The charism of the school…still appears today as one of the most beautiful and eloquent expressions of…[what we] all received in Baptism…Religious brothers make prophetically visible, through their consecration, the baptismal ministry that spurs everyone…” – Pope Leo XIV
Why we Joined the Brothers
Living in community with the Brothers was the most helpful aspect of my discernment. Even though I wasn’t working in the school with the Brothers at the time,
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What was most helpful during my discernment was the opportunity to live in community with the Brothers and to work in their schools.
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Ready to Discern?
Discernment is the process of discovering God’s will for your life. Rooted in God’s call to each of us is a call to live a life of purpose, sharing our gifts and talents with others to build up our communities, Church and world.
“How long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter?” – St. John Baptist de La Salle
