I. Charism - La Salle.org

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IV. DISCOVERING, LIVING, SHARING THE GIFT OF GOD
We find here one of the characteristic Lasallian attitudes: pragmatism.
The Lasallians generally wished to be men of practical experience, living
very close to reality and needs, thinking up answers, rather allergic to “big
theories”, on the religious and spiritual life, on pedagogy. What was essential
for them was to see that “it worked”. The risk, of course, was that you
attacked the consequences without calling into question the causes of the
situations of injustice lived by the young or their families, or even worse,
that you were comforting “the system”.
The charism is expressed in the education ministry, in the way of understanding
the reality of the children and the young, of responding to
their needs, the way of being “teacher” in relations with children. It is
expressed also in and by the structures of association which want to be
at its service: vows, elections, assemblies, texts, organisation… It is
inscribed in the History of Salvation revealed by Jesus-Christ. It is for
this reason that the dialogue with the Holy Trinity at the beginning of the
formula of vows, is essential. The charism is to help the People of God to
live.
Finally, the Lasallian charism is not one more ideology, spiritual or educational;
the Lasallian charism is a story which is being told and which
continues to be written. The Lasallian charism is a response. The
Lasallian charism is the way a certain number of the actors in the
History of Salvation in the world of education, are writing this History,
following John Baptist de La Salle and with him.
Jean-Louis SCHNEIDER, fsc.