Members of the Young Lasallians Council of the District of Eastern North America (DENA) gathered in Montreal, Canada from March 12–15, 2026 for their annual retreat. The gathering brought together representatives from across DENA, representing a diverse range of ministries, regions, and professional contexts.
The Young Lasallians Council is composed of young professionals across DENA who support initiatives that foster accompaniment, formation, and engagement among young people. Through programs such as the VEGA Young Lasallians Program and the Young Lasallians Service Trip, the Council helps young people deepen their understanding of their role within the Lasallian mission.
“I serve as the District accompanier, providing administrative support and helping connect the Council with the District Office and the Office for Mission and Ministry,” shared Justin Martineau. He added that the Council exists to provide formational and vocational experiences that help develop committed Lasallians across the District.
“I serve as the Chair of the Young Lasallians Council,” shared Danielle. “The Council is a group of young Lasallians passionate about animating others to grow in their understanding of the mission and their role within it.”
Participants arrived on Thursday, March 12, and began by settling into the shared space and reconnecting with one another. The retreat created space for council members to share updates from their ministries and reflect on the life of the Lasallian mission across the District, Region, and Institute.
Throughout the retreat, the council engaged in prayer, dialogue, and collaborative planning focused on supporting young leaders and strengthening opportunities for connection, formation, and service within the Young Lasallian network.
“The retreat gives us the chance to come together and intentionally plan what we want the next year to look like,” Danielle shared. “It also allows us to deepen our connections as a council, which strengthens the work we do in accompanying and animating young Lasallians.”
“I am a Research Associate at Springtide Research Institute, and this is my first year on the Council,” shared Jaclyn Doherty. “The retreat in Montreal was a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with fellow Young Lasallians, plan for the year ahead, and learn from ministries in Quebec. Despite differences in roles and geography, there is a strong shared sense of mission.”
One of the highlights of the retreat was a visit to Centre Lasallien, a socioeducational ministry dedicated to the holistic development of young people, particularly those facing social and educational challenges. Inspired by the Lasallian mission, the Centre works to accompany youth and their families through educational and preventive initiatives that aim to reduce inequalities and promote social and academic success. The Centre offers a variety of programs including educational support, career guidance, school engagement initiatives, community activities, and opportunities focused on STEAM learning and artistic expression. By providing a supportive and stimulating environment, it helps young people grow as engaged, responsible, and proactive members of their communities.
Council members toured the facilities, learned more about the Centre’s programs, and engaged in conversation with members of the community about the impact of the ministry. The council expresses its sincere gratitude to Centre Lasallien for their warm welcome and for sharing their work. More information about the Centre and its programs can be found on their official website: https://www.lasallien.org/
Day two of the retreat concluded with a game night shared with Young Lasallians from Camp de La Salle and Centre Notre-Dame-de-la-Rouge, a Lasallian ministry in Quebec that offers youth programs and formation experiences in a camp setting. The gathering created a meaningful opportunity for connection and community among young people in the region. More information about Centre Notre-Dame-de-la-Rouge can be found on their official website: https://www.camplarouge.qc.ca/
The group also participated in daily prayer and attended Mass at the Notre-Dame Basilica, grounding the retreat in the spiritual tradition of the Lasallian mission.
Reflecting on the future, Justin expressed hope for continued growth in identity, purpose, and sustainability within the Young Lasallians network, encouraging more young professionals to actively engage in the mission and accompany others in their own journeys.
Similarly, Danielle shared her hope that the network continues to expand across ministries, reaching more young people who are seeking connection and a deeper understanding of the Lasallian mission.
The retreat concluded on Sunday morning as council members returned to their ministries across DENA, bringing with them renewed connections and a strengthened commitment to the Lasallian mission.
The council extends special thanks to Antoine Béland, Associate Director of the Office for Mission & Ministry for the Sector of Québec, for accompanying and supporting the group throughout the retreat.
