St. John Baptist de la Salle Medal – Patron Saint of Teachers

Who is the Patron Saint of Teachers?

St. John Baptist de la Salle is regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of nurses.

St. John Baptist de la Salle was ordained a priest in 1678 and began working as a teacher. La Salle was a pioneer in the field of education. He was the first person to develop a system of teacher training and to create a curriculum that was based on the needs of the students. He also believed that education should be affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status.

In 1680, La Salle founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The Brothers were a religious order of men who dedicated their lives to teaching. They established schools all over France and eventually all over the world.

He was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1900. St. John Baptist de la Salle is the patron saint of teachers because of his dedication to education and his commitment to providing quality education to all.

 

Why is St. John Baptist de la Salle the Patron Saint of Teachers – A Short Biography

St. John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) was a French Catholic priest and educational reformer, known for his work in the field of education and his founding of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Catholic religious teaching congregation.

De La Salle was born into a wealthy family in Rheims, France, and was well-educated. He decided to become a priest and was ordained in 1678. However, he soon became disillusioned with the state of the Church, and in particular with the poor quality of education provided to the children of the working class.

Determined to improve the situation, de La Salle began working with groups of young boys in Rheims, providing them with education and training. He also began to train other men to become teachers, and in 1680, he and a group of these men founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a religious congregation dedicated to the education of poor children.

The Institute quickly gained a reputation for its innovative approach to education and for the high quality of its teachers. De La Salle and his Brothers soon expanded their work, establishing schools and colleges throughout France, and eventually throughout the world.

De la Salle also developed a new teaching method that was focused on the individual student. His method emphasized the importance of adapting instruction to the student’s abilities, interests and needs. He also emphasized the importance of observation and assessment, which later became the basis of the scientific method of teaching.

Throughout his life, St. John Baptist de la Salle was a strong advocate of education for all and dedicated himself to improving the education of the poor. He believed that all children had the right to an education, regardless of their social class, and he worked tirelessly to make this a reality.

His approach and methods where praised by many, including Pope Pius XI and Pope Paul VI, who declared him as the patron saint of all teachers of youth, and he was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900.

Today, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Christian Brothers, continue to operate schools, colleges and universities around the world, following the principles and teachings of St. John Baptist de la Salle, who is considered one of the leading educational reformers in history.

Patron Saint of Teachers Medal and St. John Baptist de la Salle Rosary

How to use the example of St. John Baptist de la Salle to enrich your spiritual life as a teacher?

Between grading papers, developing lessons plans, and long days in the classroom finding time to focus on your spiritual life can be challenging. Here are a few ways you can enrich their spiritual life while teaching:

1. Take moments of reflection: Teachers can take a few minutes to reflect and meditate during their breaks, such as a moment of silent prayer or mindfulness exercises. It is a simple yet effective way to connect with their spiritual side and cultivate inner peace and clarity.

2. Attend faith-based events or groups: Teachers can participate in religious activities or events such as prayer groups or spiritual retreats. These gatherings provide an opportunity for teachers to connect with others who share their faith and deepen their spiritual practices.

3. Incorporate spiritual values into teaching: Teachers can bring spiritual values and teachings into their teaching practices. By incorporating values such as compassion, empathy, and gratitude, teachers can create a more meaningful and fulfilling teaching experience.

4. Read spiritual literature: Teachers can read spiritual literature that is relevant to their faith or beliefs. This could include religious texts, spiritual memoirs, or self-help books that focus on personal growth and development.

5. Connect with nature: Teachers can take a walk during their lunch break or incorporate outdoor learning into their lesson plans. By connecting with nature, teachers can find peace and solace, which can help to enrich their spiritual life.

6. Seek spiritual guidance: Teachers can seek out a spiritual mentor or counselor who can provide guidance and support. These individuals can help teachers to deepen their spiritual practices and navigate any spiritual struggles they may be experiencing.

Even more information about St. John Baptist de la Salle!

St. John Baptist de la Salle, founder of the Institute of the Christian Schools, was born in Rheims, France on April 30, 1651. He studied theology at the Sorbonne and was ordained to the Priesthood on April 9, 1678. He was instrumental in opening two free elementary schools for the poor in Rheims. Each day, Saint John Baptist de la Salle visited the young teachers to encourage them, as “they were like abandoned sheep without a shepherd”, and he “assumed the responsibility of uniting them”.

In 1683, St. John Baptist de la Salle resigned his canonry, and the following year distributed his fortune to the poor. He endured many trials and persecutions from certain ecclesiastical authorities. After many severe trials, de la Salle’s Institute for the Christian education of youth and the cultivation of faith began to flourish. God has given His blessing to the work of the Christian Brothers, as they are popularly known today.

Educating youth one school at a time

In 1705, he established the first boarding college in the educational world at Saint-Yon, where he inaugurated the system of modern secondary instruction. Later, he added a technical school to develop the mechanical skill of the students. Prior to the 17th century, there were no Sunday schools. St. John Baptist de la Salle founded the Christian Academy in 1699, for the adult parishioners of Saint Sulpice, which was the first of its kind in the history of education. The program included not only the ordinary branches taught in other Sunday schools, but added geometry, architecture and drawing. In 1684, he opened both a school in Rheims, France and a Christian academy for young men destined to enter the Brotherhood. These students were taught sciences, literature, and the principles of scientific pedagogy. Consequently, he is recognized as the father of modern pedagogy.

Death

St. John Baptist de la Salle, was one of the greatest thinkers and educational reformers of all time. De la Salle’s last years were spent in retirement at Saint-Yon, where he handed his institute to Brother Barthelemy, the first Superior General. St. John Baptist de la Salle died on Good Friday morning April 7, 1719, after having blessed the Brothers assembled at his bedside. His final words were: “In all things I adore the Will of God in my regard”. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on May 24, 1900.

Saint John Baptist de la Salle Medal and St. John Baptist de la Salle Rosary

This beautifully crafted St. John Baptist de la Salle medal pendant is a perfect gift for teachers looking to inspire the next generation, especially elementary teachers, middle school teachers, and high school teachers. May this St. John Baptist de la Salle medal necklace encourage its wearer to lead with love and teach with faith.

Prayers to St. John Baptist de la Salle

Prayer for the Intercession while putting on your St. John de la Salle Medal

You, O Lord,
are my strength, my patience, my light, and my counsel.
It is you who touch the hearts of the children entrusted to my care.
Abandon me not to myself for one moment.

For my own guidance and that of my students,
grant me the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and piety,
the spirit of a holy fear of you and an ardent zeal to procure your glory.

I unite my efforts to those of Jesus Christ, and I beg the Most Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, the Guardian Angels, and Saint John Baptist de La Salle to protect me this day in the performance of my duties. Amen.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle for the Youth

Dear St. John Baptist de la Salle,

You were a man of great faith and devotion, dedicating your life to educating and serving the young. I ask for your intercession as I seek to share my own gifts and talents for the benefit of others.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep compassion, strong character, and unwavering faith.

Amen.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle the Patron Saint of Teachers

O Saint John Baptist de La Salle, you were a man of great faith and dedication. You dedicated your life to teaching and educating the young. You were a pioneer in the field of education, and you helped to make quality education accessible to all.

I pray to you today, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, for your guidance and inspiration. I ask that you help me to be a good teacher, just as you were. I ask that you help me to be patient, kind, and understanding. I ask that you help me to inspire my students to learn and grow.

Thank you, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, for your intercession. I pray that you will continue to guide and inspire teachers all over the world.

A Teacher’s Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle

Dear Saint John Baptist de La Salle,

As a teacher, I turn to you in prayer, seeking your intercession and guidance as I carry out my duties to educate and inspire my students. You, who dedicated your life to education and the training of teachers, are a source of inspiration and strength to me.

Please watch over me and all teachers, that we may have the wisdom, patience, and compassion to do our job well. Help us to inspire our students to learn and to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Guide us in our work, that we may follow your example of tailoring our teaching to the needs and abilities of each student, and that we may always keep in mind the importance of social justice and serving the less fortunate.

I ask that you intercede on behalf of all students, that they may be open to learning and receptive to the knowledge and values we seek to impart. May they be inspired by our example, and grow in their faith as they learn more about the world around them.

Finally, I ask that you pray for all those who work in education, that they may be supported and encouraged in their efforts. Help us to remember that our work is a calling, a vocation, and a mission to serve others.

Thank you, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, for your example of dedication and commitment to education. May we follow in your footsteps, seeking to educate and inspire our students, and working for the betterment of all people. Amen.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle for Wisdom

St. John Baptist de la Salle,

You were a man of great wisdom and compassion, always seeking to bring out the best in your students and to help them reach their full potential. Help me to follow your example, and to always have a heart that is open to the needs of those around me.

May your love for God and your dedication to his work fill me with the courage and strength to do what is right, no matter the cost.

Amen.

Prayer to St. John Baptist de la Salle for Courage

O St. John Baptist de la Salle,

You were a man of great courage and perseverance, facing many challenges and obstacles in your work as an educator and servant of the young. Help me to have the courage to face my own challenges, and to always trust in the Lord and his plan for my life.

May your devotion to God and your love for his people inspire me to be a faithful servant, always striving to do his will in all things.

Amen.

St. John Baptist de la Salle: Patron Saint of Teachers

St. John Baptist de la Salle is considered the patron saint of teachers due to his contributions to the field of education. Born in 1651 in France, he dedicated his life to helping underprivileged and disadvantaged youth receive an education. He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a religious order dedicated to providing education to young people, and revolutionized the field of education with his innovative teaching methods.

St. John Baptist de la Salle is known for his strong commitment to education, his innovative teaching methods, and his devotion to the Catholic faith. He believed that education was a way to empower young people and help them reach their full potential, and worked tirelessly to make that a reality for those he served. He was a pioneer in creating schools that were accessible to all, regardless of social class or financial means.

In recognition of his contributions to the field of education, St. John Baptist de la Salle was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1900. Today, he is revered by teachers and educators around the world, who look to him as a model of dedication, innovation, and compassion in their work.

St. John Baptist de la Salle is the patron saint of teachers and those working in the field of education, and is invoked by those seeking guidance, inspiration, and strength in their work. He is also remembered and celebrated by Catholic schools around the world, who continue to follow his vision of education for all.” 

Reflection on the feast day of St. John Baptist de la Salle

The feast day of St. John Baptist de la Salle is on April 7th.

On the feast day of St. John Baptist de la Salle, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the great educators of the Church. St. John Baptist de la Salle was a French Catholic priest, educational reformer and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He is considered the patron saint of teachers.

St. John Baptist de la Salle’s dedication to education is an inspiration to all of us. He understood the importance of providing a solid education to all, especially the poor and disadvantaged. He believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and ignorance and that it was the duty of the Church to provide it. He dedicated his life to the education of youth, and to the formation of teachers who would continue his work.

St. John Baptist de la Salle’s vision for education was one that focused on the whole person, not just the intellect but also the spiritual and moral development. He understood that true education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about forming character, fostering virtue, and developing the moral sense. He believed that the ultimate goal of education was to help students become good Christian men and women.

In today’s world, where education is often seen as a means to an end, St. John Baptist de la Salle’s example reminds us of the importance of education for its own sake. His legacy teaches us that education is not a commodity to be bought and sold but a sacred trust, a means of formation and spiritual development. He inspires us to see education as a way to form good citizens, who will make a positive impact on the world.

In conclusion, as we celebrate the feast day of St. John Baptist de la Salle, let us remember the example of this great saint and his dedication to education. May we strive to follow his example, to see education as a means of forming good citizens, who will make a positive impact on the world, and to deepen our relationship with God through humility, learning, and devotion.

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Saints Similar to St. John Baptist de la Salle

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. John Berchmans and the Biography of St. John Bosco. St. John Baptist de la Salle, St. John Berchmans, and St. John Bosco were all influential figures in the field of education and the Catholic Church. There are no direct connections to other saints in the list. Next up: Biography of St. John Berchmans

 

Also check out our handmade St. John Baptist de la Salle Medal and St. John Baptist de la Salle Rosary and St. John Baptist de la Salle Rosary Bracelet .