| Apostolate |
Those places where Shared Mission is realized: schools,
retreat centers, child welfare centers, community social programs,
and other ministries. |
| Buttimer |
The Buttimer Institute is a summer program for Lasallians designed
to give them a deeper understanding of and appreciation for life
and influence of St. La Salle. The program is named after Brother
Charles Henry Buttimer (1909-1982), the first American to serve
as Superior General (international leader) of the Brothers. |
Brother
Visitor |
The religious superior of the District appointed by the Brothers'
Superior General in Rome; similar to the term "Provincial"
in other Congregations. |
| Charism |
The foundational inspiration of the Lasallian Family given to
the church by the Spirit of God through the person of St. John Baptist
de La Salle and the founding Brothers. |
| Circular |
An official communication to the Brothers from their headquarters
Superior General in Rome. |
| Colleagues |
Persons who work together and share their professional work with
the Brothers in the Lasallian Mission. (see partners) |
| Community |
Members of the Institute who share their lives as consecrated
persons together in a local house. |
| Consecration |
Membership of the Institute is sealed by the consecration made
by each member to God according to the five vows of the Institute. |
| Council |
An advisory group to the Brother Visitor (District Council) consisting
of elected representatives from apostolate groups and age groups;
there is also a General Council that advises the Brother Superior
General in Rome. |
| De La Salle |
St. John Baptist de La Salle, a French priest who founded Christian
Schools in France and who established a religious Congregation of
non-clerics dedicated to teaching youth called the Brothers of the
Christian Schools. His is the patron Saint of teachers. Also referred
to as DLS, La Salle, the Founder. |
| Director |
He is the religious superior of the local community of the Brothers;
similar to the term "Superior" used in other Congregations.
Until the mid-nineteen sixties, the Brother Director was also the
principal. |
| District |
The works of the Institute throughout the world are organized
into geographic areas called "Districts." The Midwest
District includes miniseries Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In other Congregations, the
term "Province" is used. The Midwest District headquarters
is located in Burr Ridge, IL. There are seven Districts in English
speaking North America. |
District
Chapter |
Authoritative and legislative body of the Brothers of the District.
The frequency of meetings varies from District to District, but
is usually every three years or four years. |
| Faith & Zeal |
The two fundamental characteristics of, the Lasallian spirit -
Faith dynamically expressed through Zeal in one's apostolic work. |
| Formation |
A process of education by which people study and learn about the
Founder so they can live according to his spirit. |
| FSC |
The initials used after a Brother's name to indicate the Congregation
to which he belongs. FSC is the abbreviation for Fratres Scholarum
Christianarum (Brothers of the Christian Schools). |
General
Chapter |
Intentional authoritative and legislative body of the Brothers.
The General Chapter currently meets every seven years. |
| Huether |
The Huether Workshop is an annual gathering of Lasallians to address
some specific aspect of their ministry. The workshop is named after
Brother Francis Huether, who served for many years as Director of
Education for the Region. |
| Institute |
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (commonly
known in the United States as the De La Salle Christian Brothers);
the world-wide organization of the Brothers and their works. The
international headquarters (referred to as the "Generalate"
or "Motherhouse") is located in Rome, Italy. |
| Lasallian |
A term that describes the spirituality and educational approach
of De La Salle; the term is also used to describe those involved
in continuing the charism (foundational inspiration) of St. La Salle
through education, service to the poor, and other ministries sponsored
by the Brothers. |
Lasallian
Family |
All people, groups, and movements that find their inspiration
in the educational approach and spirituality of St. John Baptist
de La Salle. |
Lasallian
Youth |
Youth organizations o students who learn, explore, and act on
the spirit of John Baptist de La Salle, with a focus on service
to youth and the poor. |
Lasallian
Volunteers |
Individuals who dedicate themselves to some form of service in
Lasallian education for a particular work or set time, sometimes
in another country. They often live in community with the Brothers
of the Christian Schools. |
| LLI |
The Lasallian Leadership Institute is a program designed for leaders
interested in furthering their commitment to Lasallian education.
The program is structured around a one week-long summer workshop
and mentoring weekends in the fall and spring. |
| Ministry |
A service recognized, approved, and institutionalized by the Church
for the budding up of the Body of Christ. |
| Mission |
The Lasallian mission, which the Brothers and their partners (colleagues)
share, is to give a human and Christian education to the young,
especially in schools, with the service of the poor as a priority,
in order to evangelize and catechize, to promote peace and justice. |
| Partners |
An expression chosen by the 1993 General Chapter in indicate the
close mutual relationship which is possible between Brothers and
colleagues in mission. (See colleagues.) |
| Region |
The geographic area of several Districts. The Midwest District
is part of the English speaking North America US/Toronto Region.
The Regional office (Christian Brothers Conference) is located in
Landover, Maryland. |
| RES-B |
The Regional Educational Services Board that coordinates various
programs for the United States/Toronto Region. |
| The Rule |
The document that officially defines the life of a Brother of
the Christian Schools as decided by a General Chapter (international
gathering of the Brothers) and approved by the Church. |
| Signum Fidei |
The motto of the Christian Brothers. It is a Latin expression
that translates: "Sign of Faith" it is incorporated into
the seal of many Lasallian schools. The expression is often used
with a five-pointed star. It is also the name of a special lay group
of Lasallians. |
| Vocation |
The personal call which an individual experiences from God to
live life as a responsible baptized person. It could be as a Brother,
Sister, Priest, Lay single or married. |
