May has been an exciting month to celebrate our Lasallian Catholic Heritage. On May 8, we celebrated the election of our church’s first American pope, Pope Leo XIV. On May 15, we celebrated Founder’s Day, honoring the 75th anniversary of the day our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, was named patron saint of teachers.
We can reflect now on the ways Pope Leo XIV promises to live out our Lasallian values in his papacy.
1. Pope Leo XIV has lived his life as a global missionary. Our new pope’s life as a missionary reflects the global spirit of our Lasallian charism. Lasallian schools minister to students in 80 countries across the world. Having ministered in the United States, Peru, and Italy, we expect Pope Leo’s papacy to emphasize a Lasallian vision of teaching the Gospel throughout the world.
2. Pope Leo XIV chose his name to uplift Catholic Social Teaching. This new pope is inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who served the Church at the end of the 19th century. Pope Leo XIII is known for writing about our moral responsibility as Catholics to stand for principles of human dignity, social justice, and economic equality. This emphasis reflects one of our core principles as a Lasallian school, Social Justice and Concern for the Poor.
3. Pope Leo XIV has already met with the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In one of his first audiences of the papacy, Pope Leo XIV met with the Christian Brothers at the Vatican on May 15. He emphasized the importance of our Lasallian mission, encouraging the Christian Brothers and all Lasallian ministries to continue “inspiring joyful and fruitful paths of holiness.”
We pray for Pope Leo XIV, that his papacy may continue to bless our church and reflect our mission as a Lasallian school.