By Xavier Apostol (Santuario Ministry Coordinator)
On 26 January 2025, the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools marked the 300th anniversary of the Bull of Approbation with a grand celebration at the Santuario de La Salle. The Mass, presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, was a momentous occasion for the Lasallian community and the broader Catholic Church.
Over 80 members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) attended the event, making it a significant gathering of the country’s religious leaders. The two Filipino Cardinals, Jose Cardinal Advincula and Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, were also in attendance, further highlighting the importance of the occasion.
A special moment during the Mass came when Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC, Brother Visitor, presented the bishops with a unique and meaningful gift: a wooden pectoral cross crafted from a used classroom chair from La Salle Lipa. This symbolic gesture celebrated the Institute’s deep-rooted commitment to education and the service of the Church, touching upon the Lasallian mission to provide quality education to the youth.
The 300th anniversary not only commemorated the rich history of the Institute but also reinforced the ongoing mission of the De La Salle Brothers, as they continue to serve the Filipino people through education and faith.
