AN OVERVIEW OF THE REMAINDER OF THESE PAGES
– reflecting about and appreciating
our close-to 200 Brothers
who are called ‘Blessed’ or ‘Saint’
The following pages share what it is hoped are some prayerful reflections, based on what will very soon effectively become the ten principal Lasallian feastdays. It has made sense for the Vatican to have been reducing numbers of ‘independent’ feastdays - such as, for ourselves, that concerning the Catalunya Martyrs and then another of the Almeria Martyrs, of those of Valencia, of those of Madrid, etc. As from mid-October 2013 there will be one feastday for all canonisedmartyr-saintsof that era of the 1930s religious persecution in Spain. There is another feastday regarding all thebeatified martyrs of those times. A further change (and perhaps especially appropriate for our times as we seek together to serve God’s People) is that those two feastdays will apply to all seminarians, laypeople, priests, religious, bishops, and so on. In the years to come, then, it won’t simply be the De La Salle Martyrs we mark but, at the same Mass, those of other Orders as we mark our saint-martyrstogether.
Back to our own Brothers. It wasvery good, I believe, to have been able to learn more about our holy men from the then new biographies of Br Luke Salm in the 1980s/90s, and those books remain so very readable and inspiring. Typing his name into Google (it can help to select the ‘books’ section) reveals which of those biographies are still available internationally. I was happy to work on producing appropriate prayer services which helped me to understandmore about our holy men, and perhaps some other people were so enabled, too..
Amongst the large group of people to be beatified in Tarragonaon 13 October 2013 (including 74 De La Salle Brothers), the current text before you (whether printed out or viewed on a computer screen) may help those who wish to avail of the project further still. It might be that some people might like to use the occasion as one means of Lasallian renewal, of ‘greater ‘ownership’ of at least some of the Brotherswho have been great gifts of God to his people, whether they died naturally or violently. The Chart of Dates of Lasallian Feastdays lists other Brothers whom we might have asked to join us in prayer e.g. Saint Miguel, Saint Benilde, Blessed Brother Scubilion.
The major part of this project, then, brings together via the internet something about the lives of these people (at the very least the identical PDF text and graphics and layout as have appeared in ‘The Lasallian’ magazine, in its last 9 issues). In addition I have added several more resources and, especially, a newly-written or re-written prayer which we hadtended to use since preparing the various Mass texts 15-20 years ago, with the same words having been used as the concluding prayer at morning and evening prayerover those years. It is suggested that those revised Lasallian prayers are taken slowly and reflectively. It’s a matter of praying, of course, rather than of necessarily using many words., and it is pertinent to recall the words of John Baptist De La Salle in which he talks of the prayer of suffering: “Do not use a book (to help in prayer) during such times; you do not need one”(Letter 111).
The chart of ‘Dates of Lasallian Feastdays’brings together names, feastdays, quotes, dates, insights and cross-references with the GB website (following ‘Magazine’ on that website) to guide the reader through resources that are available. Rather than look to have more than a few people ‘re-invent the wheel’ I thought it might perhaps be useful to send these electronic files to Visitors across the English-speaking world, for those who might wish to distribute theelectronic texts, or perhaps amend the files to what might be more appropriate for a particular setting. It might be the case that everything is passed on to some others at this time, or it might be thought more appropriate and manageable to work on ten smaller projects (one to be circulated in advance for each of the ‘ten feastdays’ in the year ahead. My copyright permission is freely given, of course.
For want of a more descriptive title I have simply called the project, ‘Praying the Ten Lasallian Feastdays’.
Although it is very sad that so many of our Brothers were murdered in the last 200 years, it is also a reminder that they allied themselves with what was good. Our Lasallians demonstrated so much of the opposite of what was being done to them. With goodness and forgiveness they opposed what was evil, and demonstrated the life and faithfulness and abundance of the love of God.
The identical format of the glossy and fulsome twice-yearly magazine can be accessed via the website
and then clicking on ‘Magazine’ and the choice of half-year.
The writing of latter articles for the magazine and the initial preparation of the material on the passages that follow this, and especially further hospitalisation ‘diminished’ precisely what I had been planning to do. I am distributing the electronic version of the project now for any who wish to start using it in their personal prayer or for encouragement with others. of whatever ages.May there be something in the texts that follow that may be of help in the growth of our faith. and in the faith of those we care for and who care for us.
Electronic files sent as email attachments are easy enoughto access and adapt. If there should be any problems, just let me know – Brother Nick Hutchinson –
As well as links to biographical material as published in The Lasallian magazine, I have incorporated links to some excellent websites and YouTubevideos that convey a great deal. After the Feast of San Miguel, for example, I start to incorporate links to some very touching YouTube videos of people speaking in the San Miguel schools, named after one of our saints.There is so much that can be focused upon as being especially Lasallian in those schools, as well as in so many others world-wide.
Occasionally other items (such as Lasallian intercessions) are incorporated and, clearly, there is further work that can be done to expand prayer and reflective resources, but I have been unable to do so amidst various limitations. I would have liked, for example, to incorporate links to graphics files.
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DAILY REMINDING OURSELVES THAT WE ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
(1)
‘I be aware of the mighty love which doggedly follows me’
is the most touching of the words I use
when wanting to focus anew on the Presence of God:
or
(from Psalms for a Laywoman by Edwina Gateley)
or
use Google to locate the opening line of the prayer elsewhere on the internet.
(2)
‘Kia Ora, my God’ (welcome and good health)
is a text from New Zealand
that I use often to help in reminding myself of the Presence of God:
1 January 30 St Mutienof Belgium by Brother Nick Hutchinson, FSC
(GB)
RE-DISCOVERING WHO SAINT MUTIEN IS; HIS LIFE AND INSIGHTS
For a biography and a sharing of some insights, please read the magazine
either in printed form or as a PDF of the wording, illustrations and layout of the original pages:
Go to
follow ‘Magazine’ and then click upon Issue 7, page 34.
Brother Mutien: 1841-1917 (died aged 75).
DLS images from original version of Rome/international website
The following is a text that can be taken slowlyas a reflective prayer as regards St Mutien
PRAYING TO THE FATHER ABOUT OUR SAINT
1
We give thanks, Father,
for your gift to us of the saintlyBrother Mutien.
2.
Individuals who had contact with him
responded to his welcoming smile,
and he gave his complete attention to all who spoke with him,
influencing how people could relate with one another,
leading them torespect each other more fully
and feelespecially significantin Brother Mutien’s company.
3.
May we, too, touch the hearts
of all entrusted to our care and influence,
even in small ways that we might think are insignificant.
4.
Our saint was well-known
for giving warm encouragement
to students and teachers alike,
building up their esteem and self-confidence.
Such were the memories
of his gentleness and re-assurance
that many former students used to visit him,
and often he was simply known as
“the Brother who is always praying.”
5.
In commemorating Saint Mutien,
we are grateful, too,Father,
for saints of various ages
who hallow our corridors and classrooms.
6.
May we all respond well, Father,
to your universal call to holiness,
as did Brother Mutien,
and may he be of help to us in growing in faith
and be of help as brothers and sisters to the young.
2 February 9 St Miguelof Ecuador by Br Nick Hutchinson, FSC
RE-DISCOVERING WHO SAN MIGUEL IS; HIS LIFE AND INSIGHTS
Born in Ecuador, 1898 in Ecuador.
Disabled and often ill; loved teaching young people.
Wrote & translated school textbooks
Died in Spain, aged 55.
For a biography and a sharing of some insights, please read the magazine
either in printed form or as a PDF of the wording, illustrations and layout of the original pages.
Go to
follow ‘Magazine’ and then click upon Issue 6, page 42.
SanMiguel: born in 1898 (died in Spain, aged 55).
The San(Saint)Miguel Schools in the USA are named after today’s saint, as follow:
You Tube - James Blunt – You’re beautiful
Creating Futures; not a school but it’s a home
San Miguel High School, Tucson – You Tube
Lasallian Education - Inspiration
PRAYING TO THE FATHER ABOUT SAN MIGUEL
Father, may the prayers and example of San Miguel
help us to see more clearly
what is praiseworthy in others
and be of encouragement to them.
May we appreciate
that each is marked with your fingerprints
and each is called to light up with your smile.
Renew us in your love
and inspire us to live joyfully
in your presence each day.
Enable us to transform our frailty into your strength,
and make good useof the gifts and talents
that you have given to each of us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
3 April 7(or about 15 May) St John Baptist De La Salle, Founder
Br Nick Hutchinson, FSC
RE-DISCOVERING WHO OURFOUNDER IS
FOR US TODAY: HIS LIFE AND INSIGHTS
Born in 1651 and died in 1719 at the age of 67.
Follow ‘Magazine’
Issue 1, pages 8 +16;
Issue 2, pg 8;
Issue 4, pg 14;
Issue 7, pg 38.
See also this superb and well-illustrated website:
YouTube – Br Gerard Rummery – yet another inspiring presentation, reflecting about JBDLS working alongside the Brothers:
A Lasallian Practice – the Presence of God – Jacques Gousin, FSC – an inspiring text
PRAYING TO THE FATHER ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
God, ever-faithful,
we thank you for the gift to your Church
of Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
We pray that, like him,
we may deepen our friendship with you
and grow more aware of your presence
in our lives each day.
Empower us with your Spirit
to touch the hearts
of those you entrust to our care and influence,
and lead us to place our trust
in your loving Providence.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
1
2
God our Father,
we rejoice that, step by step,
you called John Baptist De La Salle
to inspire and be associated with
those who would educate the young.
In our commitment together
may your Spirit guide us, too,
and help us support
those whose lives we share. Amen.
3
Father, you set before us
the example of John Baptist De La Salle,
who reminded himself throughout the day
of the life-giving presence
of Jesus, your Son.
With confidence, Father,
we place ourselves in your hands,
and ask that your Spirit guide us
to help prepare young people
to live extraordinary lives. Amen.
4
God our Father,
aided by the promise to pray for us
of the Patron of Teachers,
John Baptist De La Salle,
we ask that your Spirit inspire us always
to accompany young people well.
Help us to enable our students
to grow in compassion:
seeing, supporting and serving others
as their sisters and brothers.
Lead us to take pride in our ministry
as we give thanks for many blessings. Amen.
5
Father, we have faith
that you address us by name
and call us to holiness,
as you did John Baptist De La Salle.
We ask you to fill us with your Spirit
so that we, too,
may embody the life of Jesus
in our attitude, words and actions.
Inspire us to walk faithfully in the Lord’s presence,
and help us each day
to create the miracles you expect of us
in touching the hearts
of those confided to our care. Amen.
DLS Art competitions: 2010, 2011, 2012 (USA)
Presence of God artwork/competition, 2013 (GB)
4 - May 19 - Blessed Brother Rafael Rafiringa
of Madagascar
Br Nick Hutchinson, FSC
RE-DISCOVERING WHO BLESSED BROTHER RAFAEL IS FOR US:
HIS LIFE AND INSIGHTS
For a short biography:
and then follow ‘Magazine’ for Issue 1, pg 37.
Another short biography is at:
The fourth largest island in the world is that of Madagascar, off the south-eastern coast of Africa. Nowadays it has a population of some 220 million, andis well-known for bearingunique plant and animal life.
‘Rafael’ is sometimes spelt ‘Raphael’, and he died at the age of 63. There was much in his life (1856-1919) that reflected that of John Baptist De La Salle.
Our saintly Brotherwas born and raised in the culture of Madagascar. A newseparatist government sought to free the peoplefrom the occupying power of France by expelling foreign missionaries. Brother Rafael realised,though,that he could circumvent in his own regardthe general intentions of the government of that time, who expelled all foreign missionaries.He was born and raised as the Magadascan that he was and he realised that the anti-Catholic and anti-French campaign he would be able to resist. It fell to Rafael to build upon faith, and he organised local faith-groups and religious education groups, gathering for prayer and Bible-sharing – and increasing ‘problems’ (or opportunities) will face many Catholics in our own days.
What makes a Lasallian Hero?
100 Short Quotes of JBDLS
REFLECTING BEFORE THE FATHER ABOUT OUR BROTHER RAFAEL
We give thanks that Brother Rafael
was able to react with creativity
when facing new situations
and, most significantly,
in response to the expressed great spiritual need that people had:
of wanting to continue to grow in faith and compassion.
He was one of those from whom the people could benefit greatly
if he and othershelped open up the scriptures
and planned prayer services in various places.
Most especially he engaged local Catholics
to be the ones
to assumethe leadership of the church,
and they took to themselves two Lasallian characteristics:
Firstly, their growing ina spirit of faith
helped people todiscover for themselves
the nearness of our God.
And secondly, they developed a spirit of zeal:
of keen enthusiasm and determined commitment
they could share with each other:
making available to others
lived experiences of faith, of the scriptures,
of God at work in the lives of people,
of compassion,
and of experiencing the abundance of God’s love.
Rafael also led prayer, wrote texts and promoted religious education,
and made a remarkable contribution to the future of the Church
and,when the French missionaries were allowed to return,
they were delighted to discover that faith had not diminished
but had grown even stronger.
OTHER PRAYERS:
Maypeople pass on to others
lived experiences offaith,
of God at work in their lives,
of the scriptures,
of faith,
of compassion.
May our schools today
be communities of faith and compassion
where the love of God is shared and celebrated.
Strengthenus, Father,
on our own pilgrimage of faith each day,
encouraging one another
to becredible witnesses
of the abundance of your love. Amen.
5 13 August St Benilde Romançonof France
13 August (or 29 January if schools are not in session in August)
Br Nick Hutchinson, FSC
RE-DISCOVERING WHO SAINT BENILDE IS: HIS LIFE AND INSIGHTS
For a biography and a sharing of some insights, please read the magazine
either in printed form or as a PDF of the wording, illustrations and layout of this original page:
Go to
Follow ‘Magazine’ and then click upon Issue 3, page 28.
Saint Benilde Romançon 1805-1862: dying of cancer of the liver at the age of 57.
Pope Pius XI said of him: “Sanctity does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
Benilde was a very small man and had curvature of the spine. He taught in Saugues for 25 years, having been asked to open a school there.
He lived in the love of God from morning until evening” and “he was always smiling”, were comments made about him.
St Benilde Statue:
Unusual contemporary drawing of JBDLS in classroom
Contemporary Lasallian artwork
San Miguel Schools:
PRAYING TO THE FATHER ABOUT OUR SAINT
- God our Father, you set before us
the example of Saint Benilde,
and we pray that, through his intercession,
we maygrow ever-more attuned to your presence,
and livejoyfully in your love.
- We give thanks
for saints of all agesin our school community,
who touch your face, Lord God,
helping totransform
the ordinariness of the present moment:
- - consciousas we are of the words of Mother Teresa
that“I cannot do what others do.
and they cannot do what I do
but, together,
we can make somethingbeautiful for God” -
- we ask you, Father,
to strengthen and affirm us
by helping us to live in your love
from morning ‘til evening,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
6 September 2
Four Brother-Martyrs
of the French Revolution
Blessed Brothers Solomon, Roger, Leon and Uldaric
The French Revolution: 1789 – 1799
Br Nick Hutchinson, FSC
RE-DISCOVERING OUR SAINTS: THEIR LIVES AND INSIGHTS AMIDST TURMOIL