Lasallian Formation

Lasallian formation is of the utmost importance of the continuation and dissemination of the Catholic faith, and in the comfort and care that our Brothers and Sisters in Christ receive from their Church. It aims to develop a vital spiritual life, the virtues and charism of brotherhood and sisterhood, a lively intellectual life, the qualities of leadership, a missionary spirit, the ability of collaboration, openness and cultural competency, a spirit of fraternity with other Lasallians, knowledge of the local Church, and a sense of responsible stewardship for the spiritual and temporal goods of the Church.

The Lasallian Formation Program is an effort to be intentional about the development of Lasallian Catholic culture, But even more than that, we consider our schools and spiritual centers ministries. That means we engage the whole person: academically, socially, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is difficult to ask students to take a journey into their intellect and their heart if the adult guides have not done that for themselves. The formation program, then, is an outreach to all adults who work with students, be they children, adolescents, young adults, or adults, and inviting them to take a journey into their own minds and hearts - to the central core of our own purpose in life. Too often, we don’t take time in our busy lives to give ourselves that gift.

Lasallian schools exist in nearly 80 different countries and when you walk into a Lasallian school you can feel it in your bones, see it in the students, read it on the walls, and witness it in the relationships that exist among faculty and staff and between adults and students. This is the result of formation.

How is culture developed? We believe it happens intentionally. Formation is the tool we use to generate the culture we expect to be embedded in the structures of the school, spirituality center, or any other institution that claims the name Lasallian. If the development of a culture is not intentional, one will grow and develop and not necessarily the one we wanted.

The Christian Brothers Lasallian Formation Program includes five separate and unique experiences: the Brother John Johnston Institute (JJI) of Contemporary Practice, the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, the Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI), Online Formation Program, and the International Lasallian Center (CIL). Each year, more than 2,100 individuals benefit from attending these programs. The annual cost to the Midwest District is over $40,000. Thankfully, we find great hope and encouragement in the emergence of a growing number of Lay Leaders in our Lasallian Community, especially as we face the reality of a rapidly decreasing number of religious Brothers.

In addition to these remarkable Regional programs, the Midwest District, under the direction and influence of Brother Chuck Gregor, has created an online formation program that runs in a six-year cycle. Each year represents a unique moment and turning point in the life of St. John Baptist de La Salle. The online formation program allows the ministries to invite administrators, faculty and staff to a deeper understanding of their work as vocation and ministry. It assists Presidents and Principals in helping their educational communities understand what we do and why we do it.