CSJR HISTORY

• Saint John Baptist De La Salle


  Born into a life of privilege, raised in a wealthy family in 17th century France, set on a path to becoming a high-ranking Church leader and/or theologian
• A brief encounter with someone who wanted to establish a free school for poor boys

  Set De La Salle on a much different path, a path that even De La Salle later acknowledged he had no intention of taking
• De La Salle's unexpected journey

  1. Established the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Christian Brothers)

  2. Became an innovative educational pioneer and advocate for the poor

  3. Brought about an educational movement that still inspires thousands of educators

  4. Named the patron saint of all teachers of youth on May 15, 1950
• More than 300 years since De La Salle helped to establish that first school, the Lasallian mission is thriving
• De La Salle's early years

  Born in Reims, France on April 30, 1651, eldest son of Nicolle Moët de Brouillet and Louis de La Salle, one of 11 children, seven of whom survived to adulthood
• De La Salle's early life

  1. Pursued the priesthood at 16, received the distinguished position of canon

  2. Moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne and resided at the prestigious Seminary of Saint Sulpice

  3. Returned to Reims after his parents passed away, continued his studies and was ordained a priest
• Within three weeks of De La Salle's ordination


  His close friend and spiritual advisor, Nicolas Roland, died and left De La Salle to oversee the Sisters of the Child Jesus
• A chance encounter on the step of the Sisters' convent in March 1679


  Launched De La Salle into direct involvement in the world of education, meeting Adrien Nyel who wanted to start a free school for boys in Reims
• De La Salle's involvement in establishing schools

  1. Helped Nyel start the first school

  2. Agreed to help establish more schools when requested by wealthy women

  3. Found himself drawn into the world of the poor, disadvantaged students, uncultured teachers, and parents oppressed by poverty

  4. Took increasingly intentional steps to help the struggling teachers with leadership, purpose and training
• Founding of the Institute

  1. In 1680, De La Salle invited the men into his home for meals to teach them table manners and inspire and instruct them in their work

  2. A year later he brought the teachers to live with him, which his relatives strongly disapproved of

  3. De La Salle and the teachers moved to the poor part of the city, renting a house that would come to be called "the cradle of the Institute"

  4. Community life became more formalized, and teaching gradually followed a common method and approach
• The Brothers were concerned about their stability and security

  De La Salle replied by telling them to trust in God's Providence, which led him to resign his position as canon and use his family inheritance to feed the poor during a severe famine, joining the Brothers in poverty
• At the Brothers' General Assembly in 1686


  1. They approved a distinctive habit, took a vow of obedience, and officially adopted the name "Brothers of the Christian Schools"

  2. A year later, De La Salle insisted the Brothers elect one of their own as Superior, which caused controversy but he showed strict obedience to the elected Brother Henri L'Heureux
• In 1688, De La Salle and two Brothers traveled to Paris


  They revitalized a school for the poor in the Parish of Saint Sulpice, establishing the group's autonomy and freedom from the diocesan jurisdiction of Reims
• As the Brothers began to establish other schools in Paris

  They faced lawsuits, hostility, harassment and violence, and back in Reims, 16 Brothers fell ill and died through overwork, while De La Salle himself underwent a lengthy illness that brought him near death
• In response to these crises

  1. De La Salle brought the Brothers to Vaugirard for an extended retreat, and asked them to write to him monthly to share their concerns and challenges

  2. In 1691, he and two trusted Brothers made a private "heroic vow", committing themselves to the establishment of the "Society" even if they were the only three left and had to beg for bread
• In 1694, the first General Chapter was held


  De La Salle and 12 Brothers took permanent vows of obedience, stability and association for the educational service of the poor, and De La Salle was elected Superior despite his wish for a Brother to have the office
• In the years that followed

  1. De La Salle and the Brothers expanded the schools and communities, welcoming many new Brothers

  2. De La Salle wrote a variety of books and other resources, both for use in the schools and for the Brothers and community life

  3. He also faced more legal battles, and after one case was about to be unjustly judged against him in 1712, he left Paris for an extended visit with Brothers in the south of France
• During his journey in the south of France

  De La Salle grappled with the dispiriting evidence that his presence and activities in Paris had seemed to harm the mission, and he ended up moving into the Brothers community in Grenoble
• In 1714, De La Salle received a letter from the Brothers of the Paris area


  Where external Church authorities were tampering with the Brothers' self-governance and rewriting their Rule, requesting De La Salle to take up responsibility for the overall government of the Society again
• After returning to Paris

  De La Salle allowed Brother Barthelemy, who he had asked to look after things, to remain in charge, and his presence, connections and guidance helped to resolve most of the difficulties
• In 1717, the Brothers' General Chapter was held


  At their request, De La Salle drew up a definitive Rule, and the assembly formally elected Brother Barthelemy as the new Superior
• At the time, the Brothers constituted 23 houses and 34 educational establishments throughout France, with 100 Brothers, some 18 novices, and one Brother in Rome
• As De La Salle's age and tireless labors were catching up to him

  He became very ill, yet even on his deathbed, his long practice of submission to God's will continued
• Barthelemy


  He was asked by De La Salle to look after things and remain in charge
• De La Salle


  • His presence, connections and guidance helped to resolve most of the difficulties
  • He moved to Rouen and into Saint Yon - a complex that housed the novitiate, a boarding school and a juvenile detention center
  • He began to make arrangements for another General Chapter
• The Brothers at this time constituted 23 houses and 34 educational establishments throughout France, with 100 Brothers, some 18 novices, and one Brother in Rome
• General Chapter


  1. The "principal Brothers" assembled in May of 1717

  2. At their request, De La Salle drew up a definitive Rule

  3. The assembly formally elected Brother Barthelemy as the new Superior
• De La Salle


  • His age and tireless labors were catching up to him
  • Even on his deathbed, his long practice of submission to God's will, reading events in his life as providential calls from God, found him essentially at peace
  • His last words were "Yes, I adore God guiding me in all the events of my life"
• In the late 1990s, there was a growing demand for quality education in Capiz
• University of St. La Salle - Affiliate College (USLS-AC)


  It was opened in June 1999 under the supervision of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City
• USLS-AC


  • The first school head and dean of the college was Dr. Teresita Atotubo
  • Br. Rolando Dizon FSC became its first President
  • Mrs. Judy Roxas was chosen as the first Chair of the Board of Trustees
• Academic programs initially offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
  • Bachelor of Science in Commerce with majors in Management Accounting, Business Management, Management Information Systems and Marketing
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Biology
• In June 2000, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Learning Center (OLMCLC) decided to turn over the management of its High School to USLS-AC
• La Salle Affiliate College (LSAC)

  The name of the school was changed to this in SY 2002-2003
• In SY 2002-2003, the Preparatory School and Grade 1 were opened under the management of Mrs. Billanes
• The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted Government Permit to LSAC to operate the first year level of BS Nursing effective S.Y. 2003-2004
• College of St. John-Roxas


  The official name of the school in honor of St John Baptist De La Salle, the patron saint of all Christian teachers
• School Motto: "MENS, COR, ANIMA" (Mind, Heart, Soul)


  The school focuses on developing students to be academically competent, compassionate and with wisdom and ability to act with proper judgement
• Core Values


  • Faith
  • Service
  • Communion
• Ideal Graduate Attributes


  • Christian
  • Competent
  • Confident
  • Compassionate
  • Critical and Creative Future Leader
  • Concerned towards the marginalized
  • Steward of the environment
  • Committed to Serving the Common Good