Brothers of the Christian Schools (also called Christian Brothers) operate the College of Santa Fe and St.
Michael's High School in Santa Fe. Recruited by the first Bishop of Santa Fe, Rev. Jean-Baptiste Lamy, in his native France, they opened Colegio de San Miguel in 1859 next to San Miguel Church in Santa Fe. Invited by pastors and encouraged by the Bishop, they soon opened schools in Taos, Mora, Las Vegas, and Bernalillo; all eventually closed. In 1947, they opened the College of Santa Fe and staffed West Las Vegas high school with Brothers as its first principal and teachers. Brothers are now on the staffs of the two schools in Santa Fe and in related parish and archdiocesan ministries. The Brothers' only ministry is education, pre-school to university. They sponsor and staff nearly 100 schools in the United States and over 1,000 worldwide, for nearly 1,000,000 students.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle, their founder and the first of 11 children in a devout, wealthy family, had his seminary studies in Paris interrupted and his ordination delayed by the death of both parents in his home town, Rheims. He was appointed the legal guardian of his minor brothers and sisters. After ordination he remained in the family home and his bishop did not assign him to a parish.
A wealthy female cousin of his decided to finance schools for the poor boys running the streets in the worst neighborhoods of their home town and asked him to help. He couldn't refuse. In a few months he had three schools up and running. His frequent visits to the classes and daily contacts with the teachers made him realize how badly the poor needed education and religious instruction. By the time he had fulfilled his obligations to his family he was convinced that God was calling him to serve the poor. He dedicated his share of the family fortune and the rest of his life to founding the Brothers of the Christian Schools and opening schools for the poor. The Brothers are doing the same thing in the 21st century, all over the world.
In addition to teaching chemistry and math at St. Michael's from 1960 to 1977,
Brother Ernest LeBlanc (wearing a hat) also coached the tennis team to several championships.
More at: www.brothersvocation.org and www.LasallianVolunteers.org
Email: grahmannjamesn@netzero.net |
