National Republican., 1888-03-18
JOHN BAPTIST De LASALLE.
BRIEF OF BEATIFICATlON OF THE F0UN-
DER OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.
The Noble Order of Teachers-yast
Crowds Attracted to the Ceremony
Delegations From All Parts of the
World in Attendance.

All through the country the friends of
the brothers of the Christian schools have
been waiting eagerly for news of the cere-
monies connected with the beatitication of
the venerable John Baptist De La Sale
the founder of this noble order of fteachers
The beatification was promulgated on
Feb. 10, and mention has been made of
the vast crowds attracted to the cere-
mony. Cardinals, archbishops, bishops,
priests, and clergy of all orders thronged
the sanctuary, anxious to honor the
newly beatified servant of God. Many
persons entitled TO admittance were OBJ
liged to remain outside; the galleries of
the sacred building were crowded almost
disaster with delegations from all parts of
the world assembled to take part in
the first public honor paid in the church
to this true friend of youth.
The knowledge of the vast concourse so
assembl ed must fill with pride all friends
of the followers of the blessed De La Sale:
but the brief of,the holy, father must fill
them with tenderer feeling and cause to
bow with more fervent loyalty than ever
to the successor of st. Peter.
The papal brief, promulgating the beati-
fcation, begins thus:
"'They who lead others to the knowl-
edge ofsaying truth and make them walk
in the path of life, exercise an exalted
mission and deserve q Grown of eternal
glory. This holy writ teaches us by de-
claring that They who instruct many unto
justice shall shine as stars for all eternity
This crown is assured to those who, de-
spising earthly interests, consecrate their
lives to the Christian education Of the ris-
ing generations. 81 ~ Among those
who have so devoted themselves, John
Baptist De La Sale, who began his work
| in the seventeenth century, is worthy of
| special remark. Providence seems to have
| raised him up at that particular time, to
save youth from the snares of Jansenism
then cast over the greater portion of
| France"
| Having summarized the salient features
| of the earliest years of De La Sale, the
| holy father continues:
DE La Sale joined the study Of polite
| literature to the practice of all Christian
virtues and became so distinguished q
student that he surpassed all his fellow
tinued his distinguished career, and at the
age of17 one of the most learned and ven-
erable members of the Cathedral Chapter
| Of Rheims, M. Dozet, resigned in his favor.
~ ~ Raised to the priesthood, De La
Sale devoted much of his time to good
works, visiting the poor. consoling the
afflicted, aiding all who asked his assist
ance, as occasion required In
his conduct as minister Of the altar he
strove to realize the ideal of ST. Paul; Be
thou vigilant, labor in all things, do the
work of al. evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.
While John Baptist De La Selle thus adj
| vanced daily in age, wisdom, and grace,
before God and men he was particularly
deserving Of esteem for his extraordinary
| selfpossession, for that evenness of temper
that enabled him to meet trial, persecu-
| from those who should have helped him
| in his work--with undisturbed equanim-
| ity. Indeed his fOrbearanee under such
| circumstances seems incredible.
| "These traits marked the blessed SER
want of God as one who was destined for
| high and noble mission A
| special attraction for educational work has
| characteristics. This led him to study
by what means he might best improve
the educational systems of his day. 1t was
| on July s, 1881, that this study took def
i mite form, when he gathered number OF
/ young men under his own root, and the
| first community of the Brothers OF the
| Christian Schools was maugurated
| "As the reputation of the new system
| increased other willing hands offered to
| join in the.new departure. The institute
began TO spread, and society was glad TO
| acknowledge the influence for good of De
| La Sale and his disciples. Schools were
| opened not only in Rheims, but also in
many other cities of France. II was thus
that this man so greatly gifted decided TO
devote himself exclusively to the work OF
| education and for this purpose
renounced his eanonry, distributed his
large fortune to the poor, and became one
| with his cOlabOrers
| while he insisted that the pupils
should be carefully instructed in the prin-
ciples of u literary education, he was still
| more anxious that their hearts should be
! formed TO the pursuit of virtue that they
shU eraM.a strong and healthy, un-
der the iructiiying rays of evangeli
| truth. History demonstrates
how great and abundant were the fruits
of the labors of this indefetigable servant
of God.
THE more solidly to establish his work,
| De La Sale organized an educational es-
tablishment in the capital OF France.
Here grave differences arose De Ia Sale
was ridieuled, dragged before the civil
courts rs an innOvator illuminated an-
demned TO pay heavy fines pursaea ~
the Paris school teachers who sought 10
close his classes. All this he
suffered with calm serenity, and all this
he overcame by his invincible iirmness.
"fhe extraordinary attachment of DE
La Sale for the holy Roman see was also
a source of trial and persecution.
To prove his love for the occupant of the
chair of Peter, he sent two OF his disciples