THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE LASALLIAN EDUCATOR
David L. Hotek
What does it mean to be a teacher in a Lasallian school? Is a Lasallian teacher any different than teachers in other Christian schools? What kinds of personal and communal supports are incorporated into the Lasallian school? These questions, and more, are often asked by faculty and staff when the topic of "Lasallian Education" is discussed. I hope to address these questions in this article by looking more closely at the spirituality of the Lasallian educator.
Let me begin by saying that "Lasallian Education" does in fact share many characteristics with other traditions and educational groups. Colleagues in public education and in other forms of parochial education share many of the same commitments and goals with Lasallian educators. The Catholic bishops, in To Teach as Jesus Did (National Conference of Bishops, November 1972) described Catholic schools as educational agencies of the Church which are to proclaim the Gospel message with its twin purposes of personal sanctification and social reform in light of Christian values. They are to be further identified by their strong efforts to form a community of educators, including teachers, students, parents, administrators, alumni, and all involved in service to others. All three aspects of this educational mission are to be incorporated into the life of the Catholic school. Briefly described these are: proclaiming the Gospel message, forming a Christian community, and service to others.
This sounds very much like the description of Lasallian schools outlined in Characteristics of Lasallian Schools (Regional Education Committee of the Christian Brothers, 1986). This should not surprise us, for the Lasallian school is a Catholic school and as such shares the mission and goals of all Catholic schools. Yet, our experience and tradition is Lasallian, that is, rooted in the 300+ year heritage of a person: John Baptist de La Salle. Lasallian education is a story, a vision, a set of characteristics and practices which have been rooted and forever influenced by this person. Our experiences must in some way be like his experiences. We are invited to become so convinced that "the need for this kind of education is so great" (De La Salle) that we allow those needs to change our lives. De La Salle was led into this work of education by a force outside himself. He was so convinced that God was calling him to this work of education that he gave of his total self to the accomplishment of this end: providing quality education to the poor and working classes. We Lasallian educators are likewise called to make De La Salle's vision our vision, his spirit our spirit.
If one is to get in touch with the spirit of De La Salle the best place to do so is in his Meditations for the Time of Retreat. Here you will find the "soul" of this man, a 17th century French priest, living at the time of the Louis XIV, who responded to the needs of poor children by providing free education and establishing a community of Brothers to accomplish this work. His Meditations were written for his Brothers, yet the message speaks to all Lasallian educators today.
"You are engaged in a ministry wherein you are obliged to touch hearts. You cannot possibly do this without assistance of the Holy Spirit. Beseech God to confer on you today the same grace as he gave to the Apostles so that after filling you with his Spirit for your own sanctification, he may confer it on you for the salvation of others also." (Meditation 43/3)
This is the mission of the Lasallian educator. It is through this vocation -- the relationships established, the services rendered, the freedom ultimately attained -- that we are able to "touch hearts." This is not a question of moral obligation. It is a response to the beckoning of the Spirit of God, alive and active in our own hearts. It is our obligation to open our hearts so that we can hear the Spirit calling.
How does the Lasallian educator touch the hearts of young people? I believe that in this question lies the core of Lasallian spirituality. On the one hand the Lasallian educator is obligated to bring the young people "entrusted to his (her) care" to a greater understanding of themselves and their relationship to God, and on the other hand, he/she must be convinced that it is only the Spirit of God, working through the Lasallian educator, who can accomplish this. How then does the educator come to understand his/her special vocation? De La Salle responds with "beseech God to confer on you today the same grace that he gave to the holy Apostles." It is only accomplished in and through prayer.
"So when you encounter some difficulty in the guidance of your disciples, when there are some who do not profit from your teaching and you observe a reckless spirit in them, turn to God with confidence. Earnestly ask Jesus Christ to make his Spirit come alive in you, since He has chosen you to do his work. . . You must then, devote yourself very thoroughly to prayer in order to succeed in your ministry. You must constantly represent the needs of your disciples to Jesus Christ, explaining to Him the difficulties you experience in guiding them. Jesus Christ, seeing that you regard Him as the one who can do everything and yourself as an instrument to be moved only by Him, will not fail to grant you what you ask." (Med./Retreat 4/1)
What a powerful statement! What a down to earth understanding of the daily trials of the educator! If the work of touching hearts is to be accomplished today, it is to be accomplished by the Spirit working through the Lasallian educator. We are not alone! The task of bringing young people to an understanding of themselves and God is a task that God accomplishes through us. Salvation is not some abstract concept, far removed from the daily life of the student and the educator. It is rather a reality encountered every day in the classroom. It can truly be said that the hearts of young people are "touched" by the signs of love that we show them, but the reality is that this comes from the Spirit already active within the hearts of the young. It is in this way that they are "set free."
De La Salle indicated seven "interior dispositions" that all Christian educators should possess. Further reflection upon these dispositions will enable us to more fully grasp the spirit of De La Salle. The Lasallian educator:
1. Contemplates the mystery of Christ sent by the Father, Christ who gives us the Spirit.
2. Contemplates the love of God which wills that all people be saved, and which calls and sends the educator.
3. Becomes aware of the needs of young people who are entrusted to his/her care.
4. Offers him/herself to God to carry out God's work, the salvation of all persons.
5. Directs his/her relationship with God towards his/her pupils by being open to the Spirit.
6. Gives the young people visible signs that God loves them.
7. Contemplates the action of the Holy Spirit in his/her life, and in the lives of the students, in order to thank and praise God.
De La Salle urges us not only to concern ourselves with the development of our student's minds, but also to "touch their hearts." The means of salvation we make available to our students has to do finally with their response to the Gospel. Lasallian education has everything to do with the integration of the best of what is human with the awareness that God has now become part of that experience. For the Lasallian educator this means that we are willing to put our time and energy, our professional development, our total selves, at their disposal. In a very real sense, the Lasallian school, and therefore the Lasallian educator, exist for the students, in order to bring to completion the work that God has already begun.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Do you experience your school as a community of educators, including teachers, students, parents, administrators, alumni, etc., involved in service to others? In what ways do you experience this?
2. How much do you know about the life and spirit of John Baptist de La Salle? To what extent does the life of this person affect your ministry?
3. Are you convinced that the need for education is so great today that you allow this need to change your life? In what ways has it changed your life?
4. In what ways have you "touched hearts" as well as minds in your teaching? From your personal experiences, what are some examples of the times you have "touched the hearts" of the young people you meet each day?
5. De La Salle wanted his educators to see that the children in their classrooms were there because God had "entrusted them" to the care of the teacher. What does this awesome task mean to you?
6. What role does prayer play in your life? How and when do you pray?
7. Are young people today truly aware that God is part of their daily experiences? In what ways can you help them to become aware of this?
8. Are you willing to put your time, energy, talent and professional development at the service of young people? In light of all the commitments that you have, how can this be done effectively?
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