I. Charism - La Salle.org

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IV. DISCOVERING, LIVING, SHARING THE GIFT OF GOD
tional doctrine honored as the shield of the faith in France, vied with
one another in offering themselves to their Superior for this mission. 69
In a decision of importance - to extend the mission beyond known
and familiar places - Monsieur de La Salle put Association into
operation. It is the Brothers who decide on a more universal mission.
It is the first time that such a consultation was reported in
connection with the opening of a school and community. This
decision in common opens a decisive door in the running of the
community; foundations will take place later without Monsieur de
La Salle renewing this gesture: Calais, Dijon, Rome (en 1702)…
This step and what it involved would not be without influencing
the behaviour of the parish-priest of Saint-Sulpice, since visibly it
meant that the work of the gratuitous schools was no longer a
Sulpician work.
Another element appeared: the success of the Brothers’ schools, the
quality of their teaching, its efficiency, the order which became
established in the schools and among the children… attracted a
clientele of sons of artisans and small shopkeepers, who were not
listed in the Register of the Poor. Along with the Brothers, John
Baptist de La Salle felt that the Gospel should be offered gratuitously
to all, and that there could be no question of asking for a
contribution even from those who could afford it. An important
educational change came in with this new clientele. In a way, it was
the entire urban society which was beginning to move, and this
could only bring difficulties for John Baptist de La Salle and the
Brothers; because the social distinctions were no longer being
respected; which was disturbing in a society which considered innovation
an evil and where each one had a divine vocation to stay in
the position in which he was born.
69
Blain. op. cit., Book Two, p.372. (CL 7, p.370).