The Saints: St. John Baptist de la Salle

1651-1719/ Feast - April 7

 Born into a wealthy but pious French family, John was well educated and ordained in 1678. He expected to lead an ordinary clerical life. But in 1679 his path changed when he was asked to help open a free school for poor children in Reims. He gave away his family fortune, resigned his cathedral position and dedicated himself to education. He is founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. De La Salle brothers teach hundreds of thousands of students in 85 countries.               © 2002 CNS