BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

(De La Salle Brothers) FSC - Short History INDIA

St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651–1719), was a French priest and educational reformer who founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as the De La Salle Brothers). He is best known for his work in transforming education by establishing schools for poor children and promoting the use of vernacular language (French) in teaching instead of Latin. He is considered the Patron Saint of Christian Teachers and is recognized for his commitment to improving education, particularly in the context of religious and moral formation. St. John Baptist de La Salle was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1900 and later declared a Patron Saint of Christian Teachers in 1950.

Worldwide Mission:

• Almost 80 Countries.
• No. of Brothers: 2,883
• No. of Communities: 543
• No. of Works: 1,154
• No. of Lay Partners: 68,865
• No. of Beneficiaries:
  • Formal Schools: 11,60,328
  • Non-formal Schools: 79,851

FIRST COMING TO INDIA - 19th Century Lasallian Foundations in India (1859 – 1884): All seven foundations established between 1859 and 1863 were eventually closed:

Calcutta (1861)

Karikal (1866)

Mangalore (1868)

Agra (1869)

Tellicherry and Calicut (1869)

Mahe (1870)

Cannanore (1884)

A New Beginning in Ceylon (Sri Lanka): As the Brothers left Mangalore, three of them disembarked at Galle and visited Colombo, where they were invited to take charge of St. Benedict’s College, which had just been completed by the Silvestran Benedictines. Brother Hidulphe became the Headmaster, and the school had 300 students. However, language barriers again proved to be a challenge, and the Brothers left suddenly after just eight months. Fortunately, another group of Brothers led by Brother Pastoris arrived from Mangalore in May 1868 and took over the administration of the school.

SECOND COMING IN INDIA: In 1961, it was a man of Madurai beseeching the De La Salle Brothers to come over to India to help in educating the poorest of the poor there. This call came in an unofficial capacity from Rev. Fr. A. Simo, a young priest and former De La Salle Brother in Sri Lanka but was by then attached to the Archdiocese of Madurai. He was secretary to Archbishop Leonard and he was aware of the fact that the Archdiocesan authorities were considering the handing over the newly founded Boys’ Town, Nagamalai to some Religious Congregation. He thought that this kind of educational and social work among the poor would appeal to the zeal of the De La Salle Brothers, and so informed Bro. Vincent Joseph, FSC Provincial of the District of Colombo, of the possibilities. The matter was given due consideration, and then official contact was made with the diocesan authorities. And so, it was that the Brothers made a second beginning in India on August 1961.

LASALLIAN MISSIONS IN INDIA:

1. ST. PIUS X BOYS’ TOWN, MADURAI: St. La Salle Industrial School:  Provides one-year Technical Training in Welding, Lathe Operator and Electrical wiring for the poor, orphaned or destitute boys, aged 15-19. The program is recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu. New approach to training and apprenticeship programmes and excellent example of group living for responsibility. At present, we have 40 boys, who are in Technical Training. Three Brothers and four staff are accompanying the Boys’ Town and Orientation Program.

2. DE LA SALLE HOUSE - St. La Salle Hr. Sec. School, Tuticorin:  A city school, which serves the poor fisher folk; innovative program for Fisheries, The School has a student population of 1700, and it is located in historic city of Tuticorin, famous for the mission started by St. Francis Xavier. The Brothers are serving the poor children from 1964. This is the first Lasallian School in India.

3. ST. JOSEPH’S BOYS’ VILLAGE, GENGUVARPATTI: Hostel setting for 60 boys aged 6-14, who are poor, orphaned or destitute; excellent program for group living and training for responsibility; students go to RTU schools. This community has three Brothers. Dedication of these Brothers is cherished by the inmates of Boys’ Village. 

4. ARNOLD ANBALAYAM - SURANAM - LARES – St. James Hr. Sec. School & Lasalle English Medium School: A Country School, serves the poor from 42 surrounding villages; impressive program for local situation and very difficult circumstances; Total school population is 1300. Interesting outreach program known as ‘school beyond walls’ is conducted through LARES. This center was established to mark the Silver Jubilee of the second arrival of Brothers in India in 1986. Five Brothers & 35 staff are here in this Institution                                                                                                                                        LASALLE ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL AT SURANAM: The vision to establish an English medium section at St. LaSalle Suranam was long cherished by both the local community and the Brothers. St. LaSalle English Medium School officially commenced its journey on June 7, 2022 and started with classes from Pre-KG to 6th grade. With the support and guidance of Visitor Rev. Bro. Betram, FSC, and Auxiliary Visitor Rev. Bro. T. Amalan, FSC, the mission began with 33 students, 4 teaching faculty, and 1 non-teaching staff member and currently catering to the students of 135. By God's grace, the school is now in its third year, serving 127 students with the support of nine teaching faculty members and two non-teaching staff. The school operates under the leadership of Rev. Bro. Martin, FSC, the Correspondent, and Rev. Bro. Arockiasamy, FSC, the Principal.

5. LASALLE JEEVAN  SHRAVANTHI – KEESARA- AP State - B.J.T Junior & Degree College, St. La Salle English Medium School: Named after the late Bishop Joseph Thumma, the former Bishop of Diocese of Vijayawada, the BJT College is all set out to quench the poor youth’s thirst for learning. 20 Dedicated and intellectual teachers with six Brothers explore here the innate talents of 400 youth and develop them in faith values, self-reliance and selflessness so as to make them mature beings. St. Lasalle School is established to cater to the needs of poor and marginalized children. 250 kids are educated in the Primary School. In 2007, the junior college was upgraded into a degree college. We have four different streams of courses for the students to select from and it is a new venture and experience for all of us.

6. LASALLE DEEPAM – KEEZHAMUDIMAN: Keezhamudiman is a hamlet situated about 30 kms towards north west of Tuticorin. St. Joseph’s primary school was founded in 1935 to cater to the local need, it was upgraded to a middle school in 1958, and, at the request of the people from the surrounding villages, it was upgraded to a high school in 1998. At the request of Rt. Rev. Peter Fernando, Ph.D. the Bishop of Tuticorin and to mark the millennium celebration, the school was taken over by the Brothers on May 10, 2001. The Community which is named as Lasalle Deepam (Means in Tamil “Light”) is officially formed on June 01, 2003. At present the school has a student population of 900 with 4 Brothers and 17 staff.                                                       ST. LASALLE ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL AT KEELAMUDIMAN is managed by the Congregation of De La Salle Brothers. We offer qualitative, adequate and integral formation to the students of Keelamudiman and its surrounding villages. The School began its journey on 7th June 2018 with grade Pre-Kg and it serves now up to IX std in co-educational system. By the support and guidance of Bro. Visitor and Auxiliary Visitor, the Mission serving 130 students with the support of 15 teaching staff and two non-teaching staff. The school operates under the leadership of Rev. Bro. Santiago, FSC, the Correspondent, and Rev. Bro. Arul Jeevagar, FSC, the Principal.

7. LASALLE PUTHUMANAM - DINDIGUL: This expansion is taking place during the year of Lasallian Pastoral Ministry of Youth 2005. To mark this historical event, the new Community will be named after “LASALLE PUDUMANAM”. Pudumanam is a Tamil word which means New Heart. This community is providing Technical education to the rural youth of Dindigul. Pudumanam Industrial School began from September 02, 2002. The Industrial School offered the following courses: Tailoring, Computer,  Electrical, Auto mobiles, embroidery, typing, coir making and driving. We have three Brothers and 112 youth in the institution.  There is a FSC community from June 2005 for the better viability and of the Lasallian Mission in Dindigul.

8. LASALLE SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE – DOKMOKA, ASSAM: In Assam, India, located in the northeast of the country, the La Salle Brothers have inaugurated a transformative skills development center dedicated to uplifting disadvantaged youth in the region. Serving as a beacon of hope, this center provides computer skills, sewing and tailoring, and English language proficiency courses, aiming to open new doors to employment opportunities. In this region, numerous young people face obstacles that lead to dropping out of conventional schools. These challenges include residing in remote areas with limited access to services, long distances to educational institutions, and low-income family backgrounds, compounded by a lack of alternative educational opportunities. By disrupting the cycle of limited educational options, this initiative becomes a catalyst for positive change, empowering the youth of Assam to take charge of their personal, educational, and professional development. It represents a significant stride towards creating a more inclusive and promising future for the young minds in the region. 

IN INDIA:

• No. of Brothers: 48 (Perpetual Vows: 44; Temporary Vows: 04)
• No. of Communities: 09
• No. of Works: 13
• No. of Lay Partners: 3,345
• No. of Beneficiaries:
  5. Formal Schools: 3,157
  5. Non-Formal Schools: 115