Born in France during the 17th century, Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle is recognized as one of the most influential educational leaders of his time. From founding an educational program for adult prisoners to transforming the educational methods of the day, his work was guided by an underlying commitment to reflecting Christ as a teacher.
As we celebrate his feast day on April 7, we invite you to learn from the wisdom of the patron saint of teachers with these 10 quotes.
On God’s Provision
“The more you abandon to God the care of all temporal things, the more He will take care to provide for all your wants; but if, on the contrary, you try to supply all your own needs, Providence will allow you to continue to do just that, and then it may very well happen that even necessities will be lacking, God thus reproving you for your lack of faith and reliance on Him.”
On Caring for Others
“Lift up your hands to heaven to draw down God’s blessings on those you are guiding.”
“Every Christian wishing to act according to the laws of the Gospel should show honor and respect to all others, considering them as children of God and brothers of Jesus Christ and himself as one burdened with sin, for which he should constantly humble himself, placing himself beneath everyone else.”
On Listening to God
“All the good that you are able to do in your work for those entrusted to you will be true and effective only insofar as Jesus Christ gives it His blessing and as you remain united with Him.”
“Listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and not so much to your dislikes and difficulties.”
On Pursuing God
“Seek to learn from Jesus by frequently being in His company.”
“Since we should not be in community except to bring one another to God, we should especially strive to be united in God, and to have but one and the same heart, and one and the same mind.”
“You should not be content to have offered yourself to God once; you should renew this offering every day and consecrate all your actions to Him.”
On God’s Grace
“I pray that God will open your eyes more and more so that you will realize on the one hand the depth of the abyss from which you have been saved and, on the other, the infinite love that has lifted you from it.”
On the Importance of Prayer
“In all we undertake for God’s glory and the salvation of souls, we should begin by prayer to ask of God the light and grace necessary to secure success in this holy ministry. For we can achieve success only insofar as He helps us and as the Holy Spirit directs us.”
Sources:
Butler’s Lives of Saints, ed. Bernard Bangley.
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.
“St. John Baptist de La Salle – Quotations,” Lasallian Resource Center.
The Way of Saints, Dr. Tom Cowan.