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Where Have All the Brothers Gone?
Posted by Frank Sullivan on 10:45:09 06/16/21
When we look through the pages of our 1961 Year Book, there are over 40 de La Salle Christian Brothers pictured. During that period we are told there were an estimated 16,000 members of the Order stationed all over the world.
Today it is a much different story. The de La Salle Brothers number under 5,000 and their schools and other social services institutions are staffed mainly by male and female associates.
We were privileged to have experienced what I would call a rather unique educational phenomenon having been taught by mainly male non-clerics devoted solely to a vocation of teaching.
Many who are not familiar with "The Brothers" ask "What is a Brother?" and "Why didn't they go all the way and become a Priest?"
But those of us familiar with the History of Saint Jean-Baptiste de LaSalle know the answer to these questions. In 1680 the Saint founded the Order mainly to educate the poor by teaching them to read, write and lead lives based on Gospel Values.
Most of us who are members of the Class of 1961 fell into the category of the lower middle class. In many cases we would be the first members of our families to go to college.
It was the Brothers who guided us on that path and molded us into individuals who would become productive contributors to society.
Although the actual number of Brothers today has diminished, their charism and spirit live on in those of us who had the privilege of being educated by them.
St John Baptist de LaSalle, Pray for Us! Live Jesus in our Hearts! Forever.
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- Re: Where Have All the Brothers Gone? - Jack Heslin 11:47:03 06/16/21
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