Thursday, April 7, 2016

April 7: Saint John Baptist de la Salle

St. John Baptist de la Salle

History

John came from a rich family in France during the 1600s. He was chosen for the priesthood when he was only 11 years old, but he was not ordained until he was 27. He was assigned to create a school for poor boys. John didn’t like that idea very much at first, but the more he got involved with teaching boys who didn’t have much of a chance in life, the more he became convinced that this was what God wanted him to do. He lived as poor as the children he was teaching, and created new methods to teach these unruly boys. He was very successful, even starting a new religious order to help run the schools, a teacher’s college and homes for troubled kids from wealthy families.

Activity

Where would we be without teachers like St. John de la Salle, who find new, creative ways to enrich the mind of young people? Today, think of a teacher (or two or three) who is really making a difference for kids who struggle with learning, poverty, family problems and other issues. Pray for that teacher and then write him or her an encouraging note. 

Saint John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us!


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