CHAPTER THREE
Commemorating the Tercentenary death anniversary of our Founder & Year of Lasallian Vocations
7 April 2019 marks the 300th death anniversary of our Founder , St John Baptist de La Salle . Since 1680 , La Salle has been a pioneer in founding training colleges for teachers , reform schools for delinquents , technical schools , and secondary schools for modern languages , arts , and sciences . His work spread quickly throughout France and across the globe after his death in 1719 .
In 1900 , John Baptist de La Salle was declared a Saint . In 1950 , because of his life and inspirational writings , he was made Patron Saint of all those who work in the field of education . La Salle inspired others how to teach and care for young people , how to meet failure and frailty with compassion , how to affirm , strengthen and heal .
Through his visionary mission to reach out and to educate the last , the lost and the least , there are about 3,600 La Salle Brothers teaching more than 1 million children in La Salle schools in 80 different countries around the world .
2019 was declared a Jubilee Year , which began on 17 November 2018 with the dedication of the sanctuary of Saint John Baptist de la Salle at the Generalate in Rome , and will conclude on 31 December 2019 , the end of the Tercentenary and Year of Lasallian Vocations .
The De La Salle Tercentenary logo is a circle that represents the fullness of life . Within the circle is the numeral 300 in an ascending appearance to symbolize the continuing vitality of the Institute and celebration of St . La Salle ’ s entry to the fullness of life . The circle has openings rather than a closed curve . Each number in the 300 has openings rather than three separate numerals . The openings indicate how the Lasallian Mission is open to going beyond its own borders . They are like portals where Lasallians can easily break barriers in their own vocational journeys and be one with those living on the peripheries .
The theme text is placed around the circle to clearly define the tercentenary celebration . While death may have separated Lasallians from their Founder , the wrap text around the circle signifies how Lasallians worldwide continue to show much heart , commitment , and life that unites them all even more profoundly in the Lasallian Mission .
Blue is chosen to follow the Institute colour .
56 ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION