Steve Go Du VETM2C, 2013-00-000414 A Reflection Paper About The Brothers and St.

John Baptist De La Salle On January 26, 1725, Pope Benedict XIII approved the Institute of the Brothers. In the periods between 1789- 1799, the French Revolution was in effect. It was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had lasting impact on French history and more broadly throughout Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries was under attack and collapsed within three years. French society then underwent an epic transformation, as the aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under the sustained assault from radical political groups, masses on street and peasants on countryside. Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles. The Revolution caused a massive shift of power from the Roman Catholic Church to the state. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed on July 12 1790 which turned the clergy into employee of the state. Many Catholics objected to the election system because it effectively denied the authority of the Pope in Rome over the French Church. Eventually, in November 1790, the National Assembly began to require an oath of loyalty to the Civil Constitution from all members of the clergy. Overall, 24% of the clergy nationwide took the oath. Widespread refusal led to legislation against the clergy, "forcing them into exile, deporting the forcible, or executing them as traitors." In 1790, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy gave the state complete control over the Church in France. Most of the Brothers refused make the oath to support the constitution, were forced gradually to abandon their schools and communities. Eventually the Institute was deprived altogether of legal status in France. Brother Solomon Leclerq was secretary to Brother Agathon, the Superior General, after having been a teacher, director and bursar. He always showed great love for people and a great attachment to his work. Having refused to take an oath, he lived alone in Paris in secrecy. Later was arrested and imprisoned in a Carmelite monastery, along with several bishops and priest which were also prisoners was killed by the sword on September 2, 1792 in the monastery garden. He was beatified together with 188 of his fellow martyrs on October 17,1926. He was the first one of our martyrs and the first Brother to be beatified. His feast is celebrated on September 2 with the other Brother martyrs of the hulks of Rochefort, who died 2 or 3 years later. The name hulk was given to the old boats, which at these instance was used as prison ships. There were in all 827 priest and religious prisoners, the majority of whom had refused to swear the oath of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which would be considered an apostasy of the faith. Of the 827 prisoners, 542 of them died during the months of captivity. The 285 survivors were freed on February 12,1795. Among the freed was Christian Brothers Roger, Leon and Uldaric. They were martyred in 1794 and beatified on October 1,1995. St. Benilde (Pierre Romancon) was born June 14, 1805 to a poor peasant family in the village of Thuret in south-central France. He was quite a student that when he was only 14 years old the Brothers engaged him as a substitute teacher. He assumed the name Benilde when he became a follower of John Baptist De La Salle. He was a good grade school teacher and later a high school teacher for teens who had never been to school. He was a strict disciplinarian and had a strong religious spirit that led many to join the Brothers because of his influence. He died August 13, 1862. Beatified April 4, 1948 and Canonized October 29, 1967. St. John Baptist De La Salle was born in Rheims France on April 30, 1651. He was eldest son to Louis de La Salle and Nicolle de Moet Brouillet. Ordained priest April 9, 1678. Died April 7, 1719 with 100 followers. Beatified February 19,1888. Canonized May 24, 1900 and proclaimed Patron of Christian Teachers May 15, 1950. Founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

The sacrifices that these lay and religious people that put up the Instituted the Brothers of Christian Schools, who with great endeavor practiced the Lasallian value is highly commendable. To seek God's will in every aspect of daily life. To put up a community that respect all and educate young people be it rich and specially the poor is not only difficult but impossible without the sustainance by the grace of God in their lives. The persecution they had to endure by being and living an exemplary Christian life. A life that builds up individual character, conduct of behavior and values that makes them a godly person. Romans 12:2 states, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. As a Christian, I find alot of truths and facts written in the divinely inspired Word of God- the Bible, is still very relevant even in these present times. To teach the students both secular knowledge as well as nurturing the spiritual aspect of every child, this is where the Lasallian school becomes the place where they experience the Good news in a way that touches their hearts, their needs, and their concerns. In I Timothy 6:17-19 it states, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of life that is truly life. Another bible verse relavant to the life and teachings of The De La Salle Brothers. Philippians 2:3-4 states, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Rules of Holy Living in Colossians states that we should set our hearts and our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, let us clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body we are called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among us richly, and whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we should do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. What ever we do, work at it with all our heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since we know that we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.