Chapter 3: The work is yours

5/24/2018 Chapter 3: The work is yours

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Beginnings in Reims (1679-1688)

John Baptist De La Salle

Age 28

Lifestyle

Pious and Zealous Young Priest

Comfortable and Respected

Executor of Roland Nicolas will ; Co founder Legally Established Sisters of the Child Jesus


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Adrien Nyel

17th-century French educator

A layman

in charge of the house for the poor in Rouen,France,

oversaw the education of poor boys, along withother poorly paid teachers.

Introduced by Sister Superior Duval to De La Salleduring his early 50's


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Propasal to De La Salle

If the community of Sisters, founded byRoland in Reims, had done so much to the

education of poor girls, molded on theschools in Rouen, why could notsomething done for the poor boys in

Reims?


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Discussions

Location: Rue Sainte Marguirite

It would not be an easy matter to win the approval of

the archdiocese and the city council Too many charity institutions supported by the

resources of the city

The is an urgent need to provide education for poorboys, but it shold be done:

Greatest discretion

Without publicity

Without arousing suspicions of the authorites


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F irst Schools


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Saint Maur ice

April 15, 1679

Pastor: Father Nicolas Dorigny

After the first school, De La Salle thought that hispart ion the enterprise is over...

News of Saint Muarice's success got around.


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Saint Maur ice


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Saint Jacques

Catherine Levesque; ineterested in endowing asimilar school in her parish

Contacted by Nyel Levesque wanted De La Salle party to the contract

Opened September 1679


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Growing in numbers

Two schools in the opposite side of town

Saint Maurice cannot house additional teachers

December 1679, De La Salle rented a house near hisown.

Being under Saint Symphorein parish, Nyelestablished the third school.


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Nyel and the rapid expansion

Although Nyel was quite capable of establishingschools, he was not the best person to control orinspire the teachers.

Young men

Not sufficiently trained

Not adequately supervised


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A Community in the Making

Easter of 1680

De La Salle invited the school teachers into his own

home for meals Work more closely with them

Help overcome their deficiencies

Marked the foundation of the Institute of the

Brothers of Christian Schools by John Baptist deLa Salle.


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De La Salle's I nvolvement

I had thought that the care which I took of theschools and the teachers would only be external,something which would bot involve me any further

that to provide for their subsistence and to see to itthe they carried out their duties in a religious andconscientious manner.

(1680) passed the Doctorate in Theology at theUniversity of Reims

Resumed guardianship of his younger siblings


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The Build up: 1680 - 1681

Nyel was frequently absent

Teachers were becoming either careless or

independent or both There was no uniform policy or method to be

followed in the schools

The students were becoming increasingly restlessand discipline was suffering


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Holy Week of 1681

De La Salle called the teachers into his home for aspiritual retreat.

Nyel's absence is due to negotiations to estabilshanother school, contrary to De La Salle's advice.

Spend more time with the teachers

Instill some sense of disciplne

Open to them a vision of spiritual significance ofwhat they were doing


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Realization

(School Teachers vs. Social Perception)

If the change would be permanent, he himself wouldhave to provide the followup.

He sought spiritual direction in Pais to consult withFather Barre.


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Decision

June 24, 1681

De La Salle moved the teachers into his own home

in Rue Sainte Margueritte. Family and Scoiety didn't accept it.

Pierre lived with his married sister

Jean-Remy sent off to boarding school

Jean- Loius stayed


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The F irst Permanent Community

Spring 1682 De La Salle lost title to the mansion inRue Sainte Margueritte.

June 24, 1682, De La Salle moved with the schoolteachers in Rue Nueve(Cradle of the Institute)

Novelty wore off

Young men chafe at the discipline imposed to them

Bored with the routine

Realized that the sort of commitment to acommunity and a vocation DLS envisioned wasmore than they were willing to bear.


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De La Salle did not stop those who wish to leave

After new recruits presented themselves

New regulations were carefully thought out andless severe.


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A Critical Challenge

Teacher's guarantee for the future

De La Salle's reply:

Resignation as canon Expected to endow his wealth to the schools but

didn't

Famine in winter 1683-1684

Daily distribution until nothing is left of De LaSalle's wealth


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Going Public

Adopt a distinctive habit and clothing

Before: Schoolteachers of Father De La Salle

After: Brothers of the Christian Schools DLS as Founder

1682-1685

Nyel looked after the schools outside reims

DLS assumed control over affairs in Reims


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Training Teachers

Duke of Mazarin endow a community of young mento be trained as teachers. Fell through opposition ofthe ArchBishop.

Parish Priests around Reims requested a Brother totake over one of the schools

Pastors would select schoolteachers for their

parishes Send them to De La Salle for training

Third community: Young lads 14 or 15 years old

Novitiates of the Institute


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F irst General Assembly

Need to consolidate the gains that were made

Plan for the future direction of the Community

1686: Feast of the Ascension until Trinity Sunday,prolonged reflection and retreat.

Free exchange of ideas

Distinctive name of the society

Daily regulation on the schools and community

Possibility of taking vows.


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F irst General Assembly

Distinctive name of the society

Brothers of Christians Schools

Daily regulation on the schools and community Deferred, play it by the ear. Adaptation to meet

new situations.

Possibility of taking vows.

Vow of Obedience: 3 years renewable annually


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Conclusion

Within 5 years, the group that moved into thecrowededhouse in Rue Nueve in 1962 had expandedto encompass three communities.

Network of Christian Schools in Reims andneighboring towns.

Vision and methods adopted by De La Salle and the

pioneering Brothers. Clear sense of Identity and Purpose.

Chapter 3: The work is yours

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