Scene 1

Narrator: St. John Baptist de La Salle was born into a world no

different than ours. Just an ordinary man, he is the first
son of Louis de La Salle and Nicole Moet de Brouillet,
living in France. He was born in Rheims, and was
named Canon of the CATHEDRAL OF RHEIMS at 16.
However, he lost HIS PARENTS AND RESUMED
RESPONSIBILITY AS HE WAS THE ELDEST SON
Despite the HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY, La Salle still
strived in excellence, and was ordained a priest at the
age of 26, and receiving a doctorate in theology at 28.
After a series of unexpected events, he became
involved in opening free schools for young children. As
ordinary his actions seem to be, he will be a catalyst of
change, of his life, and the life of many others.

[Children running and playing. Very alive. No one to guide them]

Passerby: [looking down on them] Useless kids…society’s

garbage!

Mother: [saw the children on the streets trying to play with

her son]
SON DON’T PLAY WITH THESE CHILDREN! THEY
AREN’T LIKE US!
[The children still wants to play with the wealthy boy.
The mother got angry and slaps one of them. He fell
down and cry.]

Son: [just listens obediently…]

Child 1: Are you okay, brother? Does it hurt?

Child 2: [sobs]

Child 1: It’s okay brother. We just have to stick together. After all
we’ve got is each other.

Narrator: La Salle was disturbed by what he had witnessed.

La Salle knew he had to do something for these needy
children. But he was just an ordinary man, what could
he do?

Scene 2
La Salle does not immediately agree to Nyel’s proposal he has a
little bit of reluctance. But agrees after having thought about it.

La Salle: Good evening. Can I help you with anything?

Nyel: I have been writing to the Sister Superior, and she said
she could help me in my mission. Do you, by any
chance, know where I might find her?

La Salle: I am on my way to see her too. Would you like to follow

me?

Nyel: If you don’t mind, Father, definitely.

La Salle: So, if I may ask, what is this mission of yours about?

Nyel: My name is Adrion Nyel and I have come from Rouen.

It is in my hopes that I can start free schools for the
poor people in Rheims. Of course, it would be
impossible for me to accomplish this by myself.

La Salle: That’s an interesting idea; perhaps I could be of some

assistance to you. Would you like to stay the night at
my quarters? We could discuss a more thorough plan.

Nyel: Certainly! But first, let us meet the Sister Superior.

La Salle: Of course, this way.

[Lights out.]
Scene 3

Narrator: La Salle was not sure what he should make out of the
chance of meeting with Adrion Nyel. Was it a sign from
above? Or it could just be a distraction? Being a man of
piety and wisdom, he was not hasty with his decision.
Prayers were always his place for guidance. Besides,
he would also consult Father Barre, who was his model
and guide.

La Salle: God, what are You trying to tell me? Please, show me
what I’m looking for.

[Father Barre enters.]

Barre: Ah, I hope I did not interrupt you.

La Salle: Certainly not. Here, Father, have a seat. I have a

certain matter to ask you of.

[Pulls out Nyel’s document]

You see Father, few days ago, a layman from Rouen,

named Adrion Nyel, sought me out to assist him in his
mission to set up free schools for poor children. I’m
doubtful if I should commit myself to this cause now,
given that the responsibilities that I have to my siblings,
and my studies for my doctorate. What should I do,
Father?
Barre: John, to tell you what to do would only be a loss on
your side. I would only tell you, a sincere effort will
provide you with fruitful rewards. If you believe you can
change these children’s life, then make this decision
with the sincerest of your heart, and God shall show
you the path as you move along.

La Salle: I guess what you say is true. I’m not decided yet, but
your words give me relief. Thank you, Father.
Scene 4

Narrator: La Salle finally decided to join Nyel in his mission.

Within a month the school was up and running. The
schools flourished, with admission from a lot of children
who were not able to afford education. However, La
Salle was discouraged soon enough. They faced
persecution from the authorities, which did not like La
Salle’s idea of ‘education for all’. This caused their
school to have no qualified and proper teachers.
Besides, they thought La Salle’s plan would not profit
them in any way possible. As a result, La Salle and
Adrion Nyel had to resort to the unemployed and
untrained to do the job.

[La Salle and Nyel walks in. As they are walking Nyel pointed to
one of the audience. La Salle said NO (lips said no). La Salle then
points to a pair of drunkards by the roadside. Nyel shakes his
head but La Salle insisted.]

La Salle: [pokes] Excuse me Sir, but we were wondering...

Man 1: [cuts in] Bleghs..!!! (Vomits on La Salle’s robe)

[La Salle tries to clean his robe, while Nyel talks to the drunkards.]

Nyel: Sir, how would you like to teach in our school? We are
in need of teachers…
Man 2: [Hiccups] Te…teach?? [Rubs eyes] [Eyes wide open
and slaps Man 1's back] hear that? They want us to
teach!!! (Laughs)[Tries to count with fingers while lips
says 1,2,3,4..10 with GREAT DIFFICULTY] AND I
thought we were the drunkards…

La Salle: Yes sir, to teach...you would be paid of course…

Man 1: [supposedly still drinking then chokes himself] PAY?

With real money? [His mind went blank for a few
seconds] Boy, I sure could use the money...

[Discusses…]

Man 1/Man 2: [shakes La Salle's and Nyel's hand] YOU GOT

YOURSELF EDUCATORS!

Nyel: [La Salle and Nyel walk away] Really La Salle? Are we
THAT desperate? I mean (looks at the at the drunkards
with disguised face. the drunkards smiled back at them,
in a dunked way)

La Salle: They'll make do Nyel. We NEED them. They’re the only

WAY OUT to our situation…
Scene 5

Narrator: In order to encourage the teachers, sacrifices had to be

made. The teachers were taken in by La Salle. What La Salle
didn't realize as you can obviously see he and his teachers both
came from totally different world. Indeed, problems are just over
the horizon.

[In the dining hall of La Salle's house. The teachers eat like pigs.
They belch. They fart. Scratch their armpits, put legs on the table.
Pick their noses. Sisters cover their noses with silk handkerchiefs
and looks disgusted.]

Sister 1: John! I mean, brother dear…can we talk to you for a

moment?

La Salle: Sure, go ahead… [Wipes mouth with a handkerchief]

Sister 2: Outside!

La Salle: Yes sisters, what's...?

Sister 2: ARE YOU INSANE! What is wrong with you, brother?

La Salle: I... I can... [Tries to console sisters]

Sister 1: I agree, what is wrong brother? First, you go and create

that school with Nyel fellow when it's pretty obvious it’s
 bound to fall. You spend more time with them than us.
Then you share the fortune that Father and Mother left
for us with those teachers. And now you want them to
LIVE with us? Are they THAT much important
compared to us?

La Salle: No... It’s just that...

Sister 2: No, John. We don't care. They bunch of them are of

lower classes...some of them even talk to me like they
know me! [Arrogantly]

La Salle: But please...think of the children, who are uneducated

out there, just playing on the streets, not knowing how
to read, how to writ-

Sister 1: [Interrupts] What makes you so special, to think that

you can change these children’s life? Can’t you see?
You, me, all of us are just ordinary people! [sighs] We
are out of patience, brother! If they don't leave, I’m
afraid we will...

La Salle: No! Don't…you two stay... [Sighs] I'll, I’ll go...

Scene 6

Narrator: La Salle is crushed but he perseveres and

continues as he always has. Losing his family was a
punch in the gut. Now, he truly felt all alone. It seemed
he was destined to meet disappointment upon
disappointment.

La Salle: I heard, that you haven’t been teaching the students

well lately. No matter, you, after all, were not trained to
educate. Its okay, we’ll make ourselves better from this
mistake. God, in all His glory, will guide us all to
success.

Teacher 1: [sighs and shakes head, then bursts to a stand]

That’s it, Father! I can't take it any longer…tell him.
[taps the other teacher]

La Salle: Is there anything wrong?

Teacher 2: Father, you are insured for life. You have a job,
proper education, a house and everything you could
ever want. What about us? We could have enough to
survive today, but what about tomorrow? What about
the day after? Our future with you just seems so
uncertain.
La Salle: But it’s alright my brothers. Hold on, just for a while. I’m
sure things will get better for you. Believe in God, and
through us, He may do great things.

Teacher 1: That’s very easy for you to say. Go tell that to my

wife, my children. Honestly Father, I don't care of your
cause. I have to bring change to my family and I WILL!

[La Salle tries to stop teachers from going out but teachers just
shrugged him off, while bumping into Father Barre at the door. La
Salle slumped to his desk in defeat]

La Salle: Did you see that, Father Barre? I just don’t know what
to do anymore.

Barre: There are many who hate and oppose you now, John.
Setbacks are inevitable in certain parts of our life.

La Salle: Put yourself in my shoes, Father. Everyone in my

household is against me. MY OWN FAMILY! Those
were the ones I counted on, and now they're all gone.
Sometimes, Barre, I regret the decision I took.

Barre: John, have you forgotten what you have seen on the
streets few months? Those children now have a proper
place in school, being cared for and educated. Be
patient, John. This is just a test from God. Remember
John, what your mother always taught you to be. To
care and to love for those in need, unconditionally.
Scene 7

Narrator: Father Barre advised La Salle to give material

support to these free schools. And that was exactly
what he did. La Salle gives up all he has to the poor
and commits himself fully to the cause. To avoid further
pressure from the authorities, he resigned from his
position in the canonry. His fellow teachers, seeing this
were afraid and left him. What he thought would benefit
his cause, now seemed so bleak.

La Salle: Dear God... O why o God? Why have you done this to
your servant o God? Why now? What should I do
now? [Weeps if possible]

[Song]

Narrator: Though hope seemed scarce, God answered La

Salle's prayers. Educated men joined him in his mission
for an equal chance at education for the poor children.
They formed a name for their community. They called
themselves, "The Brothers".
Scene 8

Narrator: And so, La Salle's mission continued. His

perseverance paid off when he was invited to Paris to
expand his community. However, the sun doesn’t shine
all day. The Brother's success in Paris ignited jealousy
and envy among the Paris school masters. From there
onwards, it all went downhill.

Class studying in peace.

[group of people looking over an ongoing class.]

Man 1: Did you know that La Salle has been found guilty?

Man 2: Yes! He’s giving free education, even to students who

can afford it! Where does he get his financial support
from? He is definitely a fraud!

Man 3: It’s obvious he is trying to challenge the norm. Who

does he thinks he is? Well, the court already ordered
these schools to be shut down!
Man 1: Then, what are we waiting for? Bring down his schools!

Man 2: BRING DOWN HIS SCHOOLS!!!

Crew: bring down his schools!! La Salle's a liar! He stole my

students!!! Tear all the books!!! Leave nothing behind!!! Bring
down his schools!!!!! BRING DOWN HIS SCHOOLS!!!

La Salle was too late. He tries to pick up the mess... but then
realizes that this is too much for him and walks away.
Scene 9

Narrator: La Salle was 60 when he decided to abandon his

dreams. Devastated with what had happened in Paris,
La Salle flees to Parmeine, Southern Paris to seek
peace. There, he settles down and lives as a hermit. A
kind lady by the name of Sister Louise lived nearby and
provided for all his needs.

La Salle: Finally, after so many years, I have found serenity. Yet,

why do I still have doubts, Louise? Why does my heart
still feel as though something is missing?

Louise: John, those hardships were your life for so many years.
Now you have finally found peace but if it’s God’s will
you will return to finish what you have started. For now,
rest.

La Salle: Yes, Louise. I suppose you are right.

Lights off.
Narrator: One afternoon a few years later…..

Francois comes knocking on the door.

Francois: Good evening sister. I’m… looking for a priest by

the name of La Salle. I heard he is living here?

La Salle: Good God….can it be? Is that you François?

Francois: Brother, it’s you! It’s really been a while since I last
met you!

Louise: I’ll go get you something to drink.

La Salle: Thank you Louise. So please do sit, François! How’s

everything going back in the schools? How are the
students? Wait. [Chuckles] No, no…forget it…you don’t
have to tell me, they aren’t of my concern anymore.

Francoise: No, John. You’re wrong. They are and they always
will be of your concern. You are bound by the
obedience you took a while ago. I’m sorry, Brother.
They sent me to tell you that you are needed back in
Paris [offers letter].

La Salle: [Ignores letter] What for? [Stands up] They know that
Brother Bartolemy is my successor. Tell them to go
after him instead.

Francois: I would brother, had not the order come from

Brother Bartolemy himself. [Passes the letter to La
 Salle] Come back, brother. We need you. I await your
decision. [Leaves]

Louise walks in the scene wondering where Francois had gone

to.

La Salle: Louise, what should I do? For once, someone PLEASE

tell me what to do.

Louise: They need you, John. You know what you have to do.
The pain always is there. You just have to pick yourself
up and move on. Trust in God John. He never fails. HE
will always be there for you. You’ve always believed
that change is possible. Now, I ask of you to change
yourself, and finish what you have started.

Narrator: La Salle RETURNED TO PARIS TO TAKE CHARGE

OF THE BROTHERS FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE
PASSING ON THE LEADERSHIP TO BROTHER
BARTHELOMY. At the last two years of his life, he
withdrew from DIRECTING the Brothers. He passed
away on APRIL 7, 1719.