St. John Baptist de La Salle - Bronx, NY - Statues of Religious Figures on Waymarking.com

A marble statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle is located near the steps west of the entrance of Smith Auditorium on the campus of Manhattan College. A life size statue of St. John Baptist de La Salle is depicted wearing the clerical attire of the Christian Brothers, including a cape. He is standing to the right of a young boy dressed in a suit and tie and holding an open book. He has his left hand around the shoulder of the boy. His right hand is near the open book.

The marble plinth is inscribed: ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE and the granite base is inscribed:

John Baptist De La Salle was born into a wealthy family in Reims, France on April 29, 1651. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 9, 1678 and received a Doctorate in Theology in 1680.

John Baptist de La Salle became concerned with the plight of poor children. They had few opportunities for the education that would enable them to advance economically and socially. He devoted his life to the establishment of schools and the training of teachers for the children of the working class.

In pursuit of his goal, he established a new religious institute, the first without priests: the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. This order is known as the De La Salle Brothers in most of the world and the Christian Brothers in the United States. The Christian Brothers went on to establish schools and colleges throughout the world. Manhattan College was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1853.