The window of De La Salle distributing bread to the poor is based on the 1901 painting
by Italian artist Giovanni Gagliardi.
With the cathedral of Rheims in the background, De La Salle is represented here in the midst
of what Lasallian scholars have described as the moment in which he let himself be grasped
and overcome by the offer of grace to become one with and for the poor.
The gospel was no longer to be only the starting point of his preaching, it was to be the rule
of his life.
He renounced his prestigious position as canon of the cathedral of Rheims and used the occasion
of the terrible winter famine of 1684-1685 to distribute to the needy all of his personal
wealth.
It was now the poverty of the children who came to his schools with which he associated
himself, their insecurity in which he intended to become a partner.
This scene reflects De La Salle’s core teaching about the vocation of a Lasallian educator.
Your actions must be a lively expression, wrote De La Salle, of what is written in the
gospel.
Show the students what a life inspired by the teachings of Jesus looks like because
example makes a much greater impression on the mind and heart than words.
Take a few moments to look at this window.
The colorful and fancy dress probably gets in the way of our imagining the real distress
of these people, but do not fail to notice the young boy in the bottom left of the window
whose hunger is beings satisfied.
Do you also see the woman with the red scarf caring for the elderly woman too weary to
stand, who is perhaps her mother?
Might the humble gentleman kneeling before De La Salle actually be the husband, or the
father of this family?
Might the two Brothers to the right of De La Salle be wondering about this evening’s
meal?
Are the more well-off townsfolk to the left of De La Salle looking on in admiration, or
perhaps in disbelief?
When I was hungry, you gave me food, said Jesus in the gospel.
Where teaching is offered free of charge and entirely for the glory of God, wrote De La
Salle, the misfortune and abandonment of the children of the working class and poor is
remedied.