John Baptist de la Salle was born into a wealthy family in France in 1651. After his parents’ death, he cared for his younger siblings and studied for the priesthood. A man asked Father John to help form a free school for poor children. Although people criticized the idea of free schools, Father John built more, taught teachers to teach and to respect all students, and founded the Christian Brothers. St. John is the patron (April 7) of educators and principals.

Saints are real-life heroes of faith who inspire us by their virtues to become more like Christ. In the Saints and Me! series, these beautifully illustrated early-reader books tell the real stories of saints that come to life and connect with today’s children aged 4 to 9.