Brothers of the Christian Schools | Fratres Scholarum Christianarum

Lasallian Tradition: Faith and Education

The History of the Christian Brothers

The Christian Brothers, also known as the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, is a religious teaching community of the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded by Saint John Baptist de La Salle in France in 1680. De La Salle, a priest, was deeply concerned about the consequences of a lack of education among the poor. To address this issue, he established schools that offered free education to the children of artisans and underprivileged families. This was a revolutionary idea at the time.

De La Salle is regarded as the founder of modern pedagogy. He emphasized classroom discipline and introduced methods that were ahead of their time. He grouped students according to their abilities instead of age, used the vernacular language instead of Latin, and integrated physical activity into the curriculum. The Christian Brothers were among the first to adopt the practice of silent reading in classrooms, and their educational methods quickly spread throughout France and beyond.

Our Structure and Legacy

The Christian Brothers do not include priests, which sets them apart from many other religious communities within the Church. They take vows of "association for the service of the poor, stability in the Institute, poverty, chastity, and obedience" and are dedicated entirely to education, particularly for the poor. Over the centuries, the Brothers have expanded their mission to over 80 countries, establishing schools, colleges, and universities that continue to operate under the guiding Lasallian principles of faith, service, and community. 

Today, the Lasallian educational network is one of the largest Christian educational institutions globally. It continues to promote innovative educational standards and social justice in line with the vision of their founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle.