Message from the 5^Th Asia Pacific Lasallian Educator’s Conference

‘Lasallian Spirituality in a Multi-faith Society”

The basic elements of Lasallian Spirituality are Faith, Service and Community as exemplified in the inspirational story and writings of John Baptist de La Salle:

(A)  The Spirit of Faith

Lasallians are still in the process of integrating Lasallian Spirituality originating from a Christian tradition into contexts of many faiths or no faith, in the Asia-Pacific region.

(a) Multi-faith perspective

        1.     Lasallians live a faith that is respectful of others’ right to profess their own faiths.

        2.     Lasallian create a common space in which all can share common guiding principles with focus on 

                key values of compassion, integrity, justice care, inclusiveness, service, and dedication.

        3.     Rooted in their own faith Lasallians engage in on-going dialogue so as to be able to understand and

                recognize the commonality among religious traditions, cultures and nations.

        4.     Lasallians give a priority to prayer and reflection.

(b) Christian perspective

        1.     While being Lasallian is not dependent on being Christian, we affirm Lasallian Spirituality finds its

                source in the Christian tradition.

        2.     Lasallian spirituality recognizes and accepts God in every person regardless of religion, and

                encourages the practice of personal faith.

        3.     Lasallian spirituality upholds the Catholic faith but affirms the place and role of all religions.

        4.     Lasallian spirituality is enriched by the contributions of all faith and wisdom traditions.

(B)  The Spirit of Service

        1.     Lasallians express concern for all through educational and other services to others with particular

                emphasis on ‘the last, the lost and the least’.

        2.     Lasallians are dynamic, ever responsive to changing needs of youth.

        3.     Lasallians seeks to bring about understanding and respect between faith traditions and direct their

                energies towards the service of humanity.

        4.     Lasallians are builders of communities which take responsibility for their life and growth with a

                strong focus on justice and peace.

(C)  The Spirit of Community

        1.     Lasallians carry out their mission together and by association to keep alive the history and traditions

                of the La Salle story.

        2.     Lasallians value ongoing formation as members of a community through appropriate structures and

                programmes.

        3.     Lasallians are called to be brothers and sisters to each other and the youth people with whom they

                work.

        4.     As a community Lasallians are called to response to diverse and ever-changing realities.

        5.     Lasallians are inclusive of all, regardless of ethnicity, religion or status.