Brothers,
In Chapter Two of I, John Baptist de La Salle, entitled, "The Seed Years," we are given an account of de La Salle's radical sacrifice in which he gave up everything for the sake of educating the poor of France. Acting as St. La Salle, Bro. Leo Kirby, FSC, writes, "I gave up my salaried position to a poor pirest, and I gave away my money to feed teh hungry. From that time on, I got much closer to the children they taught. I could now truthfully say, 'We Brothers'" (25). Here, we get a sense of how important self-sacrifice is in the life of a Christian. Only when one "takes up his cross"--or dedicates himself to a cause greater than himself--can he truly begin to experience God's kingdom of love on earth.
That said, I would like you to discuss one theme (a unifying idea or subject of a given text) portrayed in "The Seed Years". Support your discussion with back-up from the text; use quotes and format them properly (as modeled for you above)! Notice above how I discuss the theme of self-sacrifice as being an important part of the Christian's call to duty and relate it to De La Salle's life using a quote from the chapter.
Please be thorough and thoughtful in your response. This blog should be at least one paragraph in length, but may very well exceed that length, especially if you get involved in your discussion of the theme you choose. Always ask yourself "how" and "why" when discussing the points you make about a particular theme. When you insert quotes, you must interpret what the author means by them.
This is due Tuesday, March 17, 2009 by class-time.
Brother Rob Peach, FSC
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26 comments:
What jumps out to me about the cahp. is how radically De La Salle changed his whole way of life. Bro. Leo Kirby FSC. writes,"I began to make some big decisions which led me to make more radical ones a few years later,"(Kirby 23). This was no understatement! He began to change his whole way of life just because he was asked to. He let teachers move into his house, and eventually even sold all that he had and gave up his more than comfortable position at the cathedral to help the poor. It took him a while to get on board with his new associates but once he was he litterally put all he had into it.
This attitude, when someone gives all they have to a good cause is really what God asks of us. This is a small reqest but a very difficult one to accomplish. But De La Salle was able to do it and has recieved the title of Saint because he did.
Joe Fennimore
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
At first, Saint La Salle becomes involved in the schools because of Adrien Nyel. Nyel needed a place to stay and so Saint La Salle offers him into his home out of courteousy. However, he becomes increasingly dragged into his involvement with schools as more people pour more responsibilites on him and as their reputation expands. Saint John Baptist de La Salle was a kind of 'yesman' in this stage of his life, not wanting to disappoint anyone, but forcing himself to undergo more and more work. Brother Leo Kirby writes about his hardship. "The life was harsh:the classes were large; the food was plain and meager; the furnishings were makeshift; the day was long with class duties and community prayers" (Kirby 25). At some point, however, Saint La Salle recognizes this hardship as a way of uniting his unique fraternity of teachers, the Christian Brothers. He embraces it to the point where he gives up his salary as a priest and decides to live in poverty. "I gave up my salaried position to a poor priest, and I gave away my money to feed the hungry" (Kirby 25). His determination did him well in the end. By lowering himself and limiting himself, he became more like the poor children that he was teaching and he became more focused on helping them. The underlying theme in this case is that there is reward for perserverance. There was no gain for La Salle to have helped all of the people that he did, but he became a better person because he did.
Dan Pickle
Bro Peach FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17 2009
One theme constantly seen in “The Seed Years” is sacrifice, and sacrifice for the good of others. Starting with inviting Nyel and his companion to stay in his home, he made many self sacrificing decisions. De la Salle quickly opened a second school and became the leader. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes “the next thing I knew, I was a sort of leader with these teachers, praying with them and giving them some advice with their class work and personal problems” (Kirby 23). De la Salle started to invite teachers into his home for meals and later invited all of the teachers to live in his home. He is very hospitable to them. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes “The life was harsh: the classes were large; the food was plain and meager; the furnishings were makeshift; the day was long and with class duties and community prayers. Some teachers died of exhaustion; others left the work” (Kirby 25). Despite these hardships De la Salle stuck with the schools and then he makes one of the most important decisions. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes “I gave up my salary to a poor priest, I gave away my money to feed the hungry” (Kirby 25). The fact that he would give away everything he has to benefit others is shocking. Going from when he looked down on the poor to giving up his money and time and dedicating his life to helping them is astonishing. He sacrificed a great amount and it is seen in the chapter “The Seed Years”.
Logan Dietz
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
In chapter 2, "The Seed Years", I noticed how much de La Salle sacrficed for others. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes "The life was harsh: the classes were large; the food was plain and meager; the furnishings were makeshift; the day was long with class duties and community prayers. Some teachers died of exhaustion; others left the work" (Kirby 25). De La Salle sacrificed not only adequate living conditions, but even his own salary for the Christian Brothers. He put his life at risk just to teach students in a Christian manner. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes " After giving up my inheritance and my cathedral salary, I became known as the young priest who had founded the brothers of the Christian Schools" (Kirby 26). De La Salle had extreme devotion to these Christian brothers and the schools.
James May
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 13, 2009
One main theme that I notice in the second chapter is that of aiding others, usually involving self sacrifice or discipline. The first few instances of this occur when De La Salle lets Nyel and his companion stay at his house for a few days so they may start their school. It eventually escalates to where many teachers from the various schools that were built are staying at De La Salle's house. "I invited all the teachers, about half a dozen or so, to live in my own home" (Kirby 24). These self sacrificing acts of aid grow to the point where De La Salle gives away his inheritance to a poor priest and to the hungry so that he may call himself a brother and suffer with his fellow brothers. This is an example of De La Salle's incredible life: he not only sacrificed a lot by giving away his money, but by giving away this money he basically condemned himself to living a life of self sacrifice. Out of love and fairness, he believed this was the right thing to do. Ultimately this set the example for brothers today to take up a life of humbleness in order that others may have a chance to succeed.
The Vincenzo Merante
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
one obvious theme that i saw was kindness. De La Salle tried t give to every possible person he knew. if it was inviting someone over for dinner, teaching young ones, or taking care of his siblings, he did it. De La Salle was the true definition of a "giver". he would rather do something for someone else instead of himself. De La Salle opened schools to give children the gift of knowledge, opened his front door to give people full stomachs, and opened his heart to love his family. people all over the world were watching this seed sprout into a wonderful flower
I think this chapters theme is about sacrifice. The reason why because De La Salle shared his house with the teachers to start up the school. He "invited the teachers to my home for meals" (Kirby 24). He also gave up most of his salary to a poor priest and the hungry. Thats why he is called a "Saint" to the people that knows him.
Erich Harkema
Bro Peach FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17 2009
What I found interesting about this chapter is the fact that La Salle was so calm and natural about the fact that he just signed up to work and teach at two different schools, then later opened one to train teachers! This man was truely a saint, acting from the kindness in his heart.
Acting as St. La Salle, Bro. Leo Kirby, FSC, writes, "I was thinking that was the end of the buisness when to my suprise another rich lady, this time from Rheims, asked me to open a second school for poor boys. This we did" (23). Here we see how he could've turned down this second offer and went on with his fine life, but instead he decided to go along with it. As Jesus Christ said "In order to save your life, you must lose it; or you could inherit the whole world, but lose your life"
Rick Fish
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel. 011-04
March 17,2009
In this chapter you see how De La Salle really shows his dedication to following God. I say this because De La Salle gave up so much to help others and thats what God would've done. When Bro. Leo Kirby FSC. writes, " It's OK for you to talk about Providence; you're still getting a salary, and you have your inheritance to fall back on. What about us? We've got nothing"(25) this really makes De La Salle think. After he thinks about what they said to him about God's Providence he gave up his salaried position to a poor priest, and he gave away his money to feed the hungry. He says that he got much closer to the brothers and to the children he had taught and that he could now truthfully say, "We Brothers." He opened a school to train teachers so that the techers would be much better equipped to teach the children.
Wyatt Gasparik
Bro. Rob Peach 011.04
March 17,2009
There is a common theme throughout chapter 2. It is giving and sacrifice. When De La Salle was 28 he invited Nyel and his 14 year old companion in his house for a few days until they had started their school. After they had got their school started a wealthy lady had contacted De La Salle and asked him to build a second school for the poor and he had accepted. He occasionally prayed with the teachers and helped them out at times. When De La Salle turned 30 he made a big decision. Bro.Leo Kirby writes," The following year, when I turned 30, I made a bigger move. I invited all the teachers, about a hald dozen or so, to live in my own home. This move did not sit to well with my relatives. As I look back, I think they thought I was losing my mind"(Kirby,24). De La Salle decided to let a good amount of teachers move into his own home even though his relatives didn't like the idea. This shows his generosity and how he was willing to sacrifice to let the poor children get a fair shot at life too.
Michael Klim
Bro. Rob Peach
Rel 011.04
17 March 2009
One theme that is constantly repeated throught the second chapter is self sacrafice. This theme is repeated again and again in not just the chapter, but in St. La Salle's entire life because he is on a constant journey to educate the poor boys of France and he devotes all of his time and money into this task. As Bro. Leo Kirby, acting as St. La Salle says, "I gave up my salaried position to a poor pirest, and I gave away my money to feed the hungry. From that time on, I got much closer to the Brothers and the children they taught." This shows the theme of sacrafice because it tells us that St. La Salle would rather be happy living a life of poverty, than to be rich and to live a hollow remorseful life.
Michael Pompa
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
Saint john only 28 when his friend Nyel came over. He came over because they were going over the school planes. He needs a place to stay so Saint John let him sleep over. He got teachers from places. Saint John trained them. They were also were paid by Saint John after a long time the teacher were getting tired. They also staid in houses that Saint John him self paid for the houses. And then some of them died of exhaustion, and other just left the teaching. This is when Pope Pius X named them “The Apostles of the Catechism”. They were very proud of themselves.
The Vincent Zottola
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
In chapter two "The Seeding Years" I saw Saint John Baptist de la salle being dedicated and sacrificial. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes “I gave up my salary to a poor priest, I gave away my money to feed the hungry” (Kirby 25). This says that Saint John Baptist de la Salle is willing to give his bottom dollar into his school and his education for these children. If uninterrupted someone could mistake this action for fatherly love and you would not expect someone who had as comfortable of a childhood as he did to have the urge to do something despite the nonexistent short term rewards. I suppose that is why we consider him a saint because he did something so kind and thoughtful and sacrificial just because he felt the need too.
Robbie McKinstry
Bro. Rob Peach
Rel 011.04
16 March 2009
The main theme that I noticed in chapter two was "Wisdom leads to success." Although La Salle opposed many high members of the church, he was eventually regarded with the acknowledgment he deserved. Brother Leo Kirby FSC writes, "I have been called a pioneer in discovering certain methods of teaching that sheer necessity forced me into." That appears to be La Salle's way to admit humbly that he knows he made great strides in education.
Overall, La Salle is recognized as being a very wise man. Whether your discussing his spirituality, his thriftiness,or his finesse in his profession, he was both intelligent and wise, by any man's standard. Although it is also true that it is borderline impossible to have a Saint who was a fool.
Jake Rostek
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
In Chapter Two, "The Seed Years", de La Salle demonstrates his dedication to the poor, the Brothers, the schools and to God. He puts everyone before himself. Bro. Leo Kirby, FSC, speaking as de La Salle, writes, "I was a sort of leader with these teachers, praying with them and giving them some advice with their class work and their personal problems. Before I knew it, I was renting a house for them" (23). This is an example of how dedicated de La Salle was to not only the poor and the school, but also to the teachers that were living in harsh conditions in order to educate the poor of France. De La Salle's dedication was shown in other ways, such as giving up his salary and his inheritance. He also put his dedication to the school above the wishes of his own brothers.
Thomas O'Connor
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
One theme that I saw throughout this chapter was giving to the poor. St. La Salle gave up all of his wealth for the poor. Speaking as De la Salle, Brother Leo Kirby writes "I gave up my salaried postition to a poor priest, and I gave away my money to feed the hungry" (Kirby 25). It shows much dedication to give up all that you are worth to help others less fortunate than you. He even allowed teachers to stay in his own house. St. La Salle built many schoools and appointed good teachers in order to help the poor.
Dan Smith
Bro. Robert Peach, FSC
Rel.011.04
March 17, 2009
The main theme of de La Salle's life was his caring for others that usually involved great sacrafice on his part. we can see this from his involvement with Adrian Nyel who encouraged de La Salle to come with him and help him to build these houses and schools. De La Salle promptly leaves his life of lavish wealth and happily follows Nyel.
Guthrie Renwick
religion
period 2
The theme that I thought emerged the most "The Seed Years" was self sacrifice for others. John Baptist did alot of incredible things for people. He opened two schools for poor children, then with the money left over he donated it to poor people to feed themselves and buy basic necessities. he also invited the teachers from his schools, who were poor to live with him for over 5 years. from what I've read so far it seems that John Baptist spent his whole life helping people less fortunate than himself.
Eric Gemmell
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
One constant theme that I saw in "The Seed Years" is sacrifice. John Baptist De La Salle was constantly giving and giving, while asking for nothing in return. He used his fortune to open up schools for poor children, and took the teachers, or Brothers, that he hired into his home. He sacrificed so much for this. He writes that some teachers died of exhaustion, and others left the work, but De La Salle just stuck with it the entire time. He gave up his home, his money, basically his entire life, for others. That is what I call sacrifice. Its definately a big change from the time that he used to look down on people in poverty. John Baptist is truly a "suffering servant" if you will, and it really shows in "The Seed Years"
Graham Sides
Bro. Rob Peach, FSC
Rel 011.04
March 17, 2009
One theme that I find unifies this entire chapter is growth. In this chapter, the Seed Years, De La Salle is able to expand his dream of opening schools all over the world where the children need them most. He does this by opening only a couple, but makes sure that they are very good so people will want him to build more. One way he does this is by actually educating the teachers. In this chapter it says that being a teacher is the lowest job a person can do. I found this appalling and I couldn't help but wonder how screwed up their children must be with the little education a teacher would have. So after he got the word around of his schools, people started taking notice and wanted him to build more schools around the world. The other thing that I found interesting about this chapter was how willing De La Salle was to give up his wealth for his pursuit of teaching and priesthood.
The definate theme in chapter two, "The seed years," is sacrafice and kindness. De La Salle sacraficed his entire life to helping other people. That is a true trait of kindness. He gave up his life and his house to start schools and help kids get educated. He also got good, educated, quality teachers for his school. Bro. Leo Kirby, FSC, writes, "If I were asked what was my greatest contribution to education, I'd have to say that it was recruiting quality teachers." (Kirby 26)
Osas Malkin
Bro. Rob Peach FSC
Reg 011.04
March 20, 2009
In my oppinion, the most obvious theme is in this book is "Self sacrifice" because DeLa salle would have nothing to loose if he had just ignored the people that was less fortunate than himself, but instead he gave ALL he had for others in need of his help. There is no doubt that De La Salle is truely a saint, because it take a "SAINT" to do what he did for people. However, during his child youth, I still could not figure out how the people know that he was going to be a priest when he was only 11 years old.
I think in this section of the book interesting because who would have thought a rich man would take all of his money and spend every last bit of it on people who need it. I mean you see on TV how people donate some money, but all the money he had that is wonderful.
St. De La Salle was very selfless and made many sacrafices for others . The brothers lifestyle was harsh, there were very large classes and the food was meager and plain. Some teachers died of exhaustion. He sacraficed some of his salary and put his life at risk just to teach students the christian faith. This set an example for brothers to take up a life of humbleness so that others can have a chance to do well in life.
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