Saint of the Day

01 · Read · A life to discover

St. John Baptist de La Salle

Saint John Baptist de La Salle was a French priest who helped make education available to children excluded by poverty. His partnership with teachers became the Brothers of the Christian Schools and an enduring movement in Catholic education.

Born into a wealthy family at Reims, he had a secure future as a cathedral canon. Encounters with teachers and the needs of poor boys redirected that future. He moved into community with the teachers, relinquished his position, and committed his resources to their work.

His schools used the language children spoke, grouped pupils for effective instruction, and joined religious teaching with practical subjects. Preparing teachers became as important as opening classrooms. Initiatives also included courses for working young men and provision for young people requiring particular support.

The new community faced opposition from both church authorities and established educational interests. De La Salle persisted in building a stable association of religious brothers dedicated to teaching. He died in 1719, was canonized in 1900, and was named patron of educators in 1950. His legacy lies in treating accessible schooling and the formation of capable teachers as a shared religious responsibility.

This saint is included on this recurring date in the U.S. Roman Rite calendar published by the USCCB. This reading guide gives U.S. calendar saints priority; the Mass celebrated on a particular year’s date can differ because of Sundays, seasons or higher-ranking celebrations.