LEAD Story 441

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 23 (May 2010)

In a break with tradition, we feature two Brothers in this issue. They have long gone to their reward. Yet it can be truly said that they were largely responsible for establishing the Lasallian presence in Hong Kong and setting it on a firm foundation. They were the first two Directors/Principals of St Joseph’s College.

The first Director, Brother Hidulphe, hailed from France. There were four French and two Irish among the first six Brothers to arrive in November 1875. The second Director, Brother Cyprian, was a Canadian. This international dimension among the Brothers holds good to this day.

Let us take a closer look at the life and times of these two pioneering Brothers Directors. 

Brother Hidulphe was the first Director/Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong, from November 1875 to 1879. He had already experienced a taste of the East and had helped with organizing schools in Agra, India, and in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Born at Salers, about 15 miles from Aurillac, in the Auvergne, France, he received his primary education at the school run by the Brothers in his native town. At the age of eighteen he made his Novitiate at Clermont. His first years of teaching were in France but he had a deep desire to exercise his missionary zeal. When this was at last granted in 1859, he set out with joy for India.

He made a stay of two years at Calcutta and was then sent to Agra to teach the higher forms. This prepared him for the Directorship of Karikul and, later, Colombo. He continued to teach the highest forms. From Colombo he was recalled to France in 1867 and stationed at the large boarding school in Marseilles, perhaps the most renowned of Lasallian schools at the time. There was an international mix of pupils who were destined for careers in the commercial and industrial fields.

Brother Hidulphe taught English at the boarding school. He was a model of religious zeal, kindness and professional competence. He devoted all his time to prayer, study and professional duties. His experience in the East had shown him the crying need for more Brothers and so he did his best to attract vocations to the Brothers and his efforts were successful. He had been at this work for seven years when he was asked once more to leave his native land. He was appointed Director of the little band that was to open the first house of the Institute in Hong Kong.

His two nephews had also joined the Brothers and they were to be among the six pioneers who arrived on the 7th November 1875, after a voyage of 42 days, to take charge of St. Joseph’s College. These two nephews were twins.

When the Brothers arrived in 1875 the existing Catholic school for Portuguese/European boys, situated at the junction of Pottinger Street and Wellington Street, Central, was called St. Saviour’s College. Brother Hidulphe may have been somewhat disappointed at the cramped conditions of the school which had 4 classrooms and seventy five boys. The situation was exacerbated after a few weeks when enrollment had doubled.

Brother Hidulphe began by changing the name of the College. It was henceforth to be called St. Joseph’s College. He thus placed the school under the protection of St Joseph, the patron of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Bishop Raimondi may have felt a little sad at the change of name but accepted it graciously.

Before long, the Bishop got another shock for Brother Hidulphe told him that they could not take Chinese pupils unless more space was provided. Until then they would be taking pupils of mainly Portuguese descent.

But the Bishop and Brother Hidulphe were in full agreement about one very important policy, that the school would be open to rich and poor alike and that Chinese pupils could enroll once larger accommodation was secured. The Bishop took action and in January 1878 the Brothers and students moved to a somewhat more spacious Buxley Lodge at 9 Caine Road.
Enrollment continued to rise and by 1881 there were more than 300 boys on the rolls. 

Brother Hidulphe saw the need for English style education for Chinese boys, and the school at first concentrated on teaching them English conversation and writing.

In 1879 St. Joseph’s came under the Grant-in Aid Scheme whereby, subject to Government inspection, the school would receive an annual grant. It was the first Catholic school to receive Government aid. According to Bishop Raimondi, the College “under Government inspection, prospered even more that it did before”.

It was becoming ever clearer that a larger school premises would be required to cater to the ever increasing demand for places. Brother Hidulphe and Bishop Raimondi were in accord and the search was on. Brother Hidulphe praised a site on Robinson Road which had come on the market as being “most convenient for the Chinese boys as well as the Portuguese.”

Brother Hidulphe had set St. Joseph’s on a strong foundation. He himself, however, began to suffer from ill health. All the doctors he consulted returned the same diagnosis: intense anaemia, requiring a substantial diet and complete rest for many months. His health broke down completely in October 1879. The doctor ordered his immediate return to France.The departure date was fixed for All Saints Day, 1st November 1879, and it seemed like the whole Catholic population of Hong Kong accompanied him to the ship that was to take him away from the East forever. By means of his affable character and gentle disposition he had endeared himself to the Bishop, clergy, religious, parents and students alike.

The voyage from Hong Kong to Marseilles went well but France was in the grip of a very severe winter. On arrival, he was told to take a complete rest. But he could not remain completely inactive and took charge of an English class and helped to prepare pupils for first Holy Communion. One of his first actions was to write a letter to Bishop Raimondi, thanking him for all his support and praying that one day he might be able to return to Hong Kong. He was not to see Hong Kong again. His health began to deteriorate gradually and he began to waste away. Finally he was confined to his room, suffering much pain.

Brother Hidulphe was called to his reward on 11th May, 1886. 

The second Director/Principal, Brother Cyprian, was born on the 28th January 1845 in Saint Thomas de Montmagny, a small village opposite the well-known Shrine of St. Ann de Beaupré on the south side of the St. Lawrence River. He attended the Brothers' school in that town and, on indicating an interest in becoming a Brother, was sent to the novitiate in Montreal. In those days, this was regarded as saying goodbye to the world. He took the habit on September 1859 and was given the name Cyprian. At the end of his novitiate he was assigned to a brothers’ Community in New York where he taught for three years before being moved to schools in Montreal and Quebec. In September 1876, when he was 30 years old he was sent to St Joseph’s College, Clapham, London as teacher of the second class and Drawing Master.

Brother Cyprian was a lovable character with a happy disposition. He was friendly, obliging and extraordinarily patient. He was also a very faithful religious. In keeping with the times, which saw frequent movement of personnel, he was next sent to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to begin his life as a missionary Brother. He must have indicated his willingness and perhaps eagerness for this way of life. This was in 1879.

On the18th February 1880 he arrived in Hong Kong to replace Brother Hidulphe, Director of St. Joseph’s College, who had fallen sick and departed for France. Brother Cyprian was to be Director of St Joseph’s for four years. 

He was well equipped to lead St. Joseph’s to further success. He had a well-balanced nature, an equanimity of temper, which brought the best out of everybody. He also had a dynamic and outgoing personality. He had been a distinguished teacher and Principal in his native land. The four years he was in charge of St Joseph’s were among the most important in its history. It was through Brother Cyprian’s energy and drive that the school emerged as one of the leading institutions of the Colony.

In November 1880, Brother Cyprian, in the company of the Reformatory Director Brother Leo, went to view the proposed new site for the College on Robinson Road. Both were satisfied with it. In February 1881, Governor John Pope Hennessy presided over the Distribution of Prizes and congratulated the Brothers on their success.

The long-awaited move from Buxley Lodge to Robinson Road, Glenealy, in 1881 played a large part in putting the school firmly on the map. The new school building dominated the harbour. As a Brother’s report to the Motherhouse in Rome puts it: “The building is situated on a height which commands an extensive view of the city and the harbour of Victoria. It is surrounded with trees and patches of green which render it one of the most delightful spots of the Colony”. The foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir John Pope Hennessy on the 3rd November 1881 and the new building was ready for occupation the following September. The liturgical blessing took place in October 1882. 190 boys enrolled on the first day of school. The school soon became a landmark in Hong Kong and for the first time both the Portuguese classes and the Chinese classes were under the same roof.

Meanwhile, Brother Cyprian had established a periodical distribution of rewards for good conduct and application to work. He also introduced a detention class after school for those who failed to perform their duties properly. The students were also encouraged to produce a school newspaper. Standards rose and the government inspector professed himself well pleased. The Portuguese boys shone in English. On the question of language, it is astonishing to note that, besides English, Portuguese, French, Chinese and Latin were also taught. In a rousing speech at the Distribution of Prizes in 1884, Bishop Raimondi laid down the marker: ”My ambition, if you want to know it, is to provide my flock with a school in which not only the rules of our church could be complied with, but such a school which should be second to no other school in Hong Kong.”

St. Joseph’s College, Robinson Road 1881-1918

The Prize Distribution was the last public function held in the College during Brother Cyprian’s Directorship. He had asked on several occasions to be relieved of his charge and at last the superiors agreed. He was then sent to Rangoon on April 18th, 1884 but he frequently asked to be allowed to return to Hong Kong and in 1885 his request was granted and he returned to take charge of finances. This was an occupation congenial to him as he was an accomplished accountant and everybody expected he would be of great service to the College. Besides being the school bursar, he was to take charge of the boarders.

Up to this time, Brother Cyprian had enjoyed robust health but at the beginning of March 1887, he was suddenly attacked by dysentery. After medical treatment he was judged sufficiently improved to allow for a trip to Japan for a rest. There he would be able to relax among a number of his fellow French-Canadian Brothers. On May 2nd he left on the "Tanai" bound for Yokohama. The steamer arrived in Kobe on the evening of 7th of May. As Brother Cyprian felt too weak to go further, Father Chatron, MEP, went to see him on board and accompanied him to the local hospital for foreigners.

Father Chatron did all he could for the ailing Brother. He says that Brother Cyprian prayed and was perfectly resigned to the will of God, and that he remained alert and tranquil to the end. The end came on the 10th of May around 3 p.m.  Brother Cyprian was 42 years old.  

On 13th of May a funeral Mass was said and Brother Cyprian was buried in the cemetery reserved for foreigners. In those days it was near the harbour. Later it was moved to a location up the hill, near Futatabi Park 再度公园. The local Catholic religious, laypersons and schoolchildren accompanied the funeral procession. Father Chatron was convinced a Saint had been buried on Japanese soil.

In more recent years, the Brothers in Japan, led by Brother Marcel Petit, decided to erect a new tombstone for Brother Cyprian. On the 15th September, 1991, with the help of the Marist Brothers Community in Kobe, a new lettering was etched on Brother Cyprian’s tombstone and all through the years, Brother Ramon Bereicua, a Marist Brother, has faithfully looked after it. For this esteemed service, the De La Salle Brothers in Japan regard Brother Ramon as “a Marist Lasallian”.
 

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 21 (February 2010)

Brother Anthony is sometimes referred to as a Hong Kong product, not in the commercial sense but because he was born and bred there and all his life he was conscious of his roots.

His ancestral roots, however, was the village of Hing Ling in the northeastern part of the Kwangtung province of China. His Catholic grandfather sent Anthony’s father, Benedict, to study in Hong Kong at St Joseph’s College. Benedict later joined the staff of St Joseph’s, and married in Hong Kong. Cantonese became the spoken language of the family. Brother Anthony was born on the 10th May 1922, the first of a family of six: three boys and three girls.

Since the family lived in Holy Infant Lane in Wanchai, Anthony attended the local primary school of the same name which was run by the Canossian sisters. His father, a devout Catholic, had the habit of attending daily Mass and communion and from early years would wake Anthony at 5.30am to accompany him to church. It was a habit he was to keep for a lifetime.

At the age of eleven he transferred to St Joseph’s College where he was admitted to Class 8, Primary 5. After three months he was promoted to class 7, Primary 6, where he came under the tutelage of Mr Francis Boey Kah Sing who took no nonsense. Brother Cronan Curran was his teacher when he entered Form 1. The Director was Brother Matthias and at the end of Form 1 Anthony had made such progress that he was given a double promotion to Form 3 where he had Brother Brendan Dunne as form teacher.

Things were moving predictably until one day Brother Hubert Pilz went from class to class inviting those interested in the religious life to a meeting the following day. Anthony went home and talked it over with his father who gave him every encouragement. He turned up at the meeting with a number of other boys including Henry Pang. Henry and the Pang family were close friends. Anthony had in fact been thinking of becoming a Brother when he was in Form One.

At the end of the meeting Brother Hubert invited those interested to see him later. Anthony went home and discussed matters at length with his father. His father went to consult Henry Pang’s father and together they agreed to send their sons to the Brothers’ formation centre, called the Juniorate, that had recently been set up in La Salle College, Kowloon. So began their life-long faith and friendship journey as Lasallians in September 1935. 

Numbers rose and in August 1936 Anthony was ready for further training in the Juniorate in Penang, to be joined by Henry Pang in the following year. Anthony was fourteen when he arrived in Penang and joined a cosmopolitan group of aspirants. Besides preparing to become Brothers, they were being prepared for the matriculation examination. Anthony fitted in well from the start and profited from the facilities and opportunities available to him. For example he took up music, largely on his own, and spent spare time learning how to play the organ. Brother Michael Jacques remembers those times:

“I have known Brother Anthony since 1936 when first he arrived on our shores, fresh and enthusiastic and determined to embark on the first steps towards becoming a De La Salle Brother. From the start, little Anthony impressed me as a boy of exceptional talent”.

On the 1st July 1938 he received the habit of the Brothers and began his Novitiate, a year of spiritual formation.

The Sino-Japanese war had begun in 1937 and by late 1938 Guangzhou had fallen to the Japanese. Anthony’s family in Hong Kong was affected especially since links with their ancestral village were broken. The Novitiate year, however, went off smoothly for Anthony, followed by further studies in the scholasticate next door. He did well in his studies and had a taste of teaching in the nearby St Xavier’s Branch School. All seemed set fair for his vocation as a Brother and teacher.

The war clouds burst on the 8th December 1941 with the Japanese invasion. Brother Anthony himself writes: “We were celebrating the feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the chapel when we were informed that war had started. After Mass we could see the Japanese planes flying overhead on their way to bomb the town. We camouflaged the wide drain running between our property and the seminary next door, and it was here we took refuge from the bombing and machine gunning, often remaining there for several hours. It was here in this drain that I got hooked on chess, playing game after game with another Brother.”

A limited amount of teaching was permitted, but in Japanese. Brother Anthony qualified. Otherwise, for the best part of four years, it was hand to mouth existence and virtual house arrest. The planting and harvesting of vegetable crops became a priority as well as fishing. Food was generally scarce and luxuries unknown until after the war. And that war lasted for the best part of four long years.

When peace finally came the Brothers reopened the schools with minimum delay and Brother Anthony was posted to St Xavier’s Institution, Penang. The school had been bombed by both the Japanese and the Americans so makeshift sheds had been constructed around the playing field. It was here that classes were conducted. It was in these less than comfortable circumstances that Brother Anthony honed his teaching skills and exercised his passion for music. He joined the school orchestra, playing in both the woodwind and strings sections. His ambition seemed to be to play all instruments! In his spare time he taught Catechism in the parish and saw to the material purchases for the Brothers.

In 1948 he received the sad news that his father, aged 63, had passed away in Hong Kong. In those days it was not customary for the Brothers to go home. He was allowed home the following year after making his final profession. He had left home at the age of fourteen and was now returning at the age of twenty five. After his home leave he returned to his teaching and other duties in St Xavier’s.

St George’s Institution in Taiping was the next school to benefit from Brother Anthony’s dynamic style. He was transferred in 1954 and was to spend six happy and eventful years there. Although the pace of life was not as hectic as in Penang, he found scope for his energies in school events like concerts, sports days and the annual funfair. Above all, he set his sights on forming a school orchestra, starting with a violin class. Before long he was conducting an orchestra composed of students, Brothers, teachers and old boys. He spent many hours coaching the orchestra, his pride and joy.

In 1954 he was appointed Sub-Director which added to his many responsibilities. Besides running the orchestra, he was in charge of the school bookshop, weekly cinema shows and duplicating material for class use. When people needed something Brother Anthony would be called upon and he was always obliging.

The happy years in Taiping came to an end in October 1960 when he was transferred to his ‘home city’, Hong Kong. Part of the reason was a plan to set up a Juniorate for boys who showed an interest in the Brother’s vocation. He was posted to La Salle College, Kowloon, under the directorship of Brother Felix Sheehan. His long-time friend, Brother Henry Pang, was Headmaster in the Primary School. Anthony was first assigned to teach in Form 1 and later in Form 3. He had developed the habit of telling jokes and performing magic tricks at the start of every class and if the class was especially attentive there might be bonus magic at the end as well.

In La Salle his days were as full as usual. He was given 30 teaching periods a week, was in charge of the bookshop. He also set about reorganizing the school orchestra, bought new instruments and coached the boys in both primary and secondary in the violin and other instruments. In addition he was asked to pay special attention to the children of the families of the school domestic staff. He would pray the rosary with them and then give a cinema show. During the long summer holidays he took these children for boating and swimming outings.

At weekends he would visit his mother, but in 1960 she fell critically ill. Evening after evening Anthony would leave the school at 4pm and take a bus and ferry to Hong Kong island, to St Paul’s Hospital to visit her. He would stay there for several hours, returning at 11pm. Then a short sleep to be up at 5 a.m. to join the community at morning prayer and Mass. Such a hectic pace could not last. He himself recalls:

“One morning I fell down in the bathroom. Luckily Brother Eugene was up early and found me on the floor. He picked me up and put me in bed. I felt very sick and had to be taken to the nearby hospital. It was there that they found I had an ulcer attack and I had lost a lot of blood.

It was during this time that my younger sister, Agnes Seck, came from Singapore to visit mother. She was in time to see mother before she died. The whole family came to see me after the burial. Brother Henry, who walked with my brother Dominic, was mistaken by many for me. He became our brother after that”.

That was in January 1961. His mother was sixty-six. Anthony made a good recovery and resumed his busy routine. Although he tried hard to interest young men in the religious life and had established a Juniorate programme, the results were meagre. Nevertheless his experience in this area was soon to be utilised in Malaysia.

He bade farewell to his beloved Hong Kong in October 1966 and was shortly appointed Director of the Juniorate in Ipoh which at the time had an enrolment of forty one. Every Saturday he would take them to follow the Novena prayers. Although not a sportsman, he would join them in games. To nobody’s surprise he managed to form a small band and orchestrated a few musical shows.

It was at this time, 1966, that he also took over as Editor of the very popular magazine called the “Crusader”, later called the “Young Lasallian”, which made its way into classrooms in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The magazine was full of interesting stories, jokes, advice and useful hints, magic tricks, quizzes, cartoons, news from around the Lasallian schools and a pen pals corner. He featured many articles on astronomy, one of his passions. These magazines opened up a vast network of friends all over the world and his pen pals pages became popular with many a teenager. The last issue of the “Young Lasallian” was that of April 1988.

Meanwhile, Brother Anthony’s term as head of the Juniorate came to an end in 1971 when he was posted as Director to La Salle University Hall. Petaling Jaya where there were both Brothers and lay students in residence. He became the District recruiter, public relations officer, editor of the District Newsletter and later, in 1979, District Bursar. He took this variety of responsible positions in his stride, doing everything with speed and efficiency according to his catchword: ‘Fast or not?’  As always he became fully involved with the local church.

As he mellowed with age he looked forward more and more to his regular home visit to Hong Kong where he enjoyed the company of his family and of the Brothers, as well as to the Cantonese cuisine. He had been gradually slowing down, partly because of the onset of Parkinsons disease and partly because of a history of diabetes. He spent time playing mahjong and chess on the computer. In December 1998 he paid a final visit to Hong Kong. Since he could not move about freely, he stayed most of the time with the Brothers.

In April 1999 his foot developed a stubborn infection. The condition was exacerbated by his diabetic history and one of his small toes had to be amputated. Despite some pain, he remained a good patient, until the Lord called him on Tuesday 25th May 1999. The funeral Mass at St Francis Xavier’s Church was celebrated by the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and there was a large attendance. In the eulogy, an old friend, Brother Michael Jacques had this to say:

“Dear Brother Anthony, we are gathered here to bid you a fond but temporary goodbye, till we shall meet again and be with the Lord. You have done us proud by making use of your God-given talents to the full in the service of the Lord in his Church and in our Order, to which you dedicated your whole life so generously. We can thank you best by trying to emulate your good example”.

Brother Anthony himself can have the last word:

“I enjoy being a De La Salle Brother during all these many years. I’m happy in my vocation and in my various assignments. My days are filled with meaningful and challenging activities and really I have not yet encountered a dull day. Someone once told me that if I were not a Brother, I might have become a good banker! But I do think I am that and more! I used to enjoy teaching Mathematics and Scripture in school, and teaching music and conducting orchestras outside school hours. Then I enjoyed my work in the training of future Brothers and now, for the last fourteen years, I think I am doing much good editing the magazine, the Crusader. Thanks be to God!”

Dasmariñas, Philippines – A vital step in strengthening Science education in the Philippines commenced this week as the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Basic Education Division (DLSU-D BED), in close partnership with De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) and the Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI), launched the onsite segment of Phase 2 of their comprehensive Science Teacher Training Program. From May 26-30, 2025, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas is the host venue for the program, "Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building: Cultivating Effective Science Mentors: Leadership, Hands-On Learning, and Collaborative Practices."

Building on the successes of last year's blended learning approach, this intensive week brings together selected public school Science teachers from various regions of the country. The program is designed to provide deeper, hands-on experiences in mentorship, enhance content mastery, and foster significant professional growth. A key emphasis of this year's training is to empower educators in their crucial roles as leaders and collaborators. Sessions are specifically tailored to address transformative mentorship, efficient laboratory management, modern approaches to lesson planning and classroom instruction, and the integration of essential 21st-century teaching strategies. Following this week-long immersion, the Year 2 training program will seamlessly transition to monthly online sessions, ensuring continuous learning and support.

This impactful training program is part of a larger three-year commitment from DLSU-D, DLSP, and SBFI. Their collective mission is to significantly raise the standards of Science education across the Philippines. By equipping selected teachers with effective tools and inspiring them to become catalysts for change, the program aims to empower them to shape future leaders and nation-builders directly within their classrooms. Through this shared endeavor, the partners are actively fostering a strong, interconnected community of Science mentors, built upon principles of excellence, collaborative practice, and transformative learning.

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the spirit of La Salle came alive on 16 May 2025 as St. John’s International Secondary School and St. John’s International Primary School joined hands with St. John’s Institution and SK St. John to celebrate Founder’s Day. The event reflected a deep commitment to the values and mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the pioneer of modern education and a tireless advocate for the youth.

Held at SK St. John’s Hall, the celebration began with the arrival of students, educators and special guests. The atmosphere was filled with pride and reverence as the national anthem was played, followed by a stirring bagpipe performance and a choir ensemble featuring voices from across the participating schools. The prefects of St. John’s Institution then led the prefect pledge, reinforcing values of leadership, respect and service.

A touching video montage reflected on the shared Lasallian journey, reminding all present of the strength of a united educational mission. In his keynote address, Brother Butch Alcudia emphasized the lasting relevance of De La Salle’s philosophy in shaping ethical and resilient young minds for an evolving world.

Among the esteemed guests were Mr. Michael Simon, Chairman of the Board of Governors of SK St. John’s and St. John’s Institution Kuala Lumpur, and Mr. James Sia, Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Federation of Lasallian Alumni Associations. Representing the Board of Governors of St. John’s International Primary and Secondary Schools were Ms. Anne Rajasaikaran, Tuan Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney and Mr. Lim Hock Thiam, whose presence underscored the Lasallian spirit of shared leadership and unity. Also in attendance were Professor Dr. George (Principal of St. John’s International Secondary School), Ms. Mehala (Principal of St. John’s International Primary School), Mr Bascaran (Principal of Sk St. John), and Mr Sivakumar (Principal of St. John’s Institution) alongside various leaders from the education and alumni communities.

The program continued with a presentation of tokens of appreciation, followed by a banner cutting and a cake cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. Guests, staff and students then gathered for a group photo and enjoyed light refreshments while engaging in warm conversations.

The students who participated in the day’s performances and activities came from St. John’s International Primary School, St. John’s International Secondary School, St. John’s Institution, and SK St. John, showcasing a collaborative Lasallian spirit rooted in shared heritage and purpose.

The event was more than a celebration. It was a reminder of the enduring legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and his vision of education that transforms lives through compassion, community and service. For the Lasallian family in Malaysia, Founder’s Day remains a moment of renewal, reflection and a recommitment to building a better world through education.

By Emily Tan, SJI International Student

On the 15th of May 2025, I, along with around 100 classmates, received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St Ignatius, Singapore. Among these were students of various Lasallian secondary schools including my own, St Joseph’s Institution International.

Confirmation reflects a major milestone in the life of a Catholic - it marks the beginning of a new life and journey in faith. To mark this occasion, many choose to take a new name symbolising this change and the beginning of this new journey in faith. This new name, generally that of a saint or a virtue, comes following a period of prayer where we discern and select a saint to be our companion on this journey, just as many Lasallians past and present have had companions among their communities.

Among the many saints I was considering, most notably Sts Pio of Pietrelcina and Thérèse of Lisieux, lay some Lasallians whose lives I had learned about during my time in St Joseph’s. After much prayer and contemplation, I settled on St Mutien-Marie Wiaux, a Belgian Lasallian Brother whom I first encountered as the patron saint of my house in school. His humility and simplicity of living alongside his constant devotion to God and acceptance of his brokenness as a part of himself all stood out to me. In addition, he had also learned over the course of his life to discover God in the little things of each day (to the point that he was constantly praying), something that I am striving to emulate. This idea is encapsulated in his quote “Fidelity to God in the little things of every day”, which alongside his constant pursuit  excellence in his teaching vocation provided a beautiful example for me to follow. He was also an organist and trained musician, just like I am.

St Mutien-Marie’s  journey of finding God in all things, his perseverance and commitment to excellence in his vocation resonate strongly with my own aspirations, offering a beautiful example to follow as I embark on this new chapter of my faith journey.