Lasallian Education and its call for Holistic Human

Lasallian Education and its call for Holistic Human Development Understanding the meaning and the message of Education of the De la Salle Brothers

1. It is grounded on universal human values Lasallian education is grounded on universal human values, and directed towards a holistic human development and formation of the human person in dialogue with others and the whole of creation.

2. It is governed by the spirit of faith and trust Lasallian education is governed by the spirit of faith (Rule, 6), that enables the person to trust himself and others, to be a humble presence in interpreting, judging and evaluating realities and cultures in the light of the common good, and universal human values.

3. It is lived out with a zeal for service Lasallian education is lived out with a zeal for service (Rule, 7), that enables persons to freely give themselves in unreservedly to the service of others, in generosity and compassion that transcends self-interests.

4. It is like an association for service and communion Lasallian education is exercised as a an association for service and communion (Rule, 132. 1), that enables the person to work with others and respect each others’ differences towards establishing a world that is more humane, more just and more fraternal - a world where no one is excluded or marginalized.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 1. Invites learners to discover their full potential and vocation by promoting critical thinking, reflective discernment, and creative imagination. 2. Allows great perspectives and values to cast light on human knowledge and culture 3. Encourages collaboration, solidarity, dialogue, and inclusivity in an environment that is fraternal, hospitable and laden with mutual trust and respect;

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 4. Holistic human development or integral human development in the context; it stresses that development is something that economics and politics also aims at. However, development does not simply refer to social, political or economic units, but is the development of persons. As a result, holistic human development requires the development of all the aspects of the person, including the spiritual. It is often also spoken of as ‘true’ or ‘authentic’ human development.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 5. Universal human values. A value is a universal value if it has the same value or worth for all, or almost all, people. Spheres of human value encompass morality, aesthetic preference, human traits, human endeavour, and social order. 6. Humble presence. We believe that everyone is a partner and co-pilgrim in the journey to God’s Kingdom, that the fields of work are grounds of the mysterious presence and action of God’s Spirit.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 7. Facilitate learning towards transfer of knowledge, transversal skills and competencies into actual practice in finding solutions for the common good and caring for the common home.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 8. Prepares learners to respect other persons with different cultures and faith, and enter responsibly in the world of work with greater appreciation of what diversity can offer in realizing the common good and universal human values.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 9. Guided by these principles and together in faith, service, and communion and association for service, FSC aspires to create educational communities and projects of quality that will be “signs of the reign of God and instruments of happiness’’ for the various individuals, groups, and organizations who seek to realize the fullness of their dignity and humanity through education.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 10. The common good is the complete development of all the people of the world. It is understood as ‘the sum total of conditions of social living, whereby persons are enabled more fully and readily to achieve their own perfection.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 11. Generosity or Gratuity has a long tradition in the story of Lasallian association and mission. It is a feature that is exclusively Lasallian. De La Salle wanted gratuitous schools to make it possible for young people, especially the poor, to obtain education. De La Salle, was driven by motives, which in his eyes, were much more for human and social reason, than others. In fact, De La Salle speaks of “interior gratuity” that outlines 4 aspects: personal and material gratuity, gratuity in relationships, affective gratuity, and spiritual gratuity. In principle, gratuity speaks of generosity without reservations and a love that is disinterested and knows no bounds, especially to those who are poor.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 12. Entire school is a community: Lasallian tradition has always acknowledged that it is the entire school viewed as a fraternal community organized around values that by its very way of life serves as the agent for human formation and transformation. Collaborative participation in human formation is thus the responsibility of each member and of the educational community; it is not the exclusive domain of any single individual, group or department.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 13. Solidarity with the vulnerable and the marginalized. There a number of vulnerable and marginalized persons caused by globalization, injustice, natural and nuclear disasters. A De la Salle school is a home to all of them.

THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION 14. Vocation- A Call to be: If you are looking for a simple definition of a vocation, the literal meaning of the word is a “call. ” But a vocation is more than an ordinary call. A vocation is a call from God, and anyone who has felt God’s call knows that the process is anything but simple. While most people think of a vocation as what they are called to do in life, it is important to understand that the first and most important call from God is a call to be - the universal call to goodness and holiness, regardless of the work or profession.