proclamation of the pope pius xii
Proclamation of Our Holy Father Pope Pius XII Proclaiming SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE Patron of All Teachers and Student Teachers For A Perpetual Memorial Of The Matter...
The saying of Saint Bonaventure that "they only are true educators who can kindle in the hearts of their students the vision of beauty, illuminate it with the light of truth, and form it to virtue" is particularly appropriate at the present time when the education of the young is not only frequently at variance with the principles of true moral training, but is often godless and irreligious, and thus harmful in the extreme.
For this reason, the Church cherishes with a great affection those whose duty it is to educate the young, all the more so as the welfare and development of the Christian commonwealth depend on them in no small measure. A man of outstanding holiness and remarkable genius, JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE, once educated the young, and still, through the Institute founded by him, continues to do so according to excellent principles and methods.
Moreover, to train teachers for their important mission he established training centers which catered especially for village schoolmasters. The origin of training colleges for teachers, now to be found everywhere, must truly be attributed to him. So great, besides, was the esteem of this eminent pioneer in education for the office of teacher that he would not permit the Brothers founded by him to become priests lest they should be turned aside from their principal function, and he was convinced that their vocation could lead them to authentic sanctity. In order, therefore, that teachers and student teachers might have a model whose example and virtues they could imitate, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools has asked me that, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Baptist De La Salle by my predecessor of esteemed memory, Leo XIII, this saint should be proclaimed heavenly patron of all teachers of both sexes, clerical or lay, whether actually engaged in teaching or preparing for the profession.
I, for my part, convinced that the education of the young is of the first importance, and desirous that those to whom this task is confided or who are preparing for this mission should have a further powerful incentive to fulfill their exalted vocation in accordance with the principles of faith, most willingly accede to their wish. Wherefore, having consulted with the Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, and having attentively considered the matter, with sure knowledge and after mature deliberation, in the fullness of my apostolic authority, by virtue of this proclamation, and for all time, I constitute and proclaim Saint John Baptist De La Salle, the principal patron before God of all teachers of youth and accord him all the liturgical honors and privileges going with that title.
Given at Rome, in my 12th year as Pope, from St. Peter's, and sealed with the Fisherman's ring, on this 15th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand Nineteen Hundred and Fifty, Feast of Saint John Baptist De La Salle.
Pius XII, Pope
