Medellin Beginnings

On their arrival in Colombia, the Brothers of the Christian Schools first established themselves in Medellin on March 19th 1890 in San José College. This was the first center of their activities as part of the District of Colombia. In 1928 Colombia was divided into two Districts, Medellin and Bogotá. Since then, the District of Medellin has been an independent District with a life of its own. The year 2003 marks the 75th anniversary of the District.

Since its creation, the District has had 14 Brothers who have fulfilled the office of Visitor; 3 French and 11 Colombian. At the time of the division of the District there were 97 Bros; of those the following are still living: Bros. Ignacio Henao, Luis Alberto Zamudio, and Nestor Suarez Alzate.

In 1928 the District was involved in 8 institutions other than San José College. Since then, the Brothers have opened 9 other foundations of Lasallian education.

From 1990 onwards a re-foundation began by taking charge of projects in places that were marginalized and poor both socially and economically. In Uraba Antioqueno, St. Francis of Assisi College was opened. Later openings included the Diocesan College of John Paul II in Apartado; the Diocesan College of Laura Montoya of Chigorodo; in Istmina (Choco) the Higher Training College of St.Pius X; in the Valley of Cauca, the Ginebra Institute, and in 1999 the Colegio Compartir.

In 2000 the District had 8 private projects of its own: 4 of them in Medellin, 3 in La Costa, and one in Pereira; 5 official projects: one in Apartado, one in Ginebra (Valle), one in La Costa, one in Istmina (Choco) and one in Medellin; 2 diocesan projects in Uraba, one private project in Cali and private Higher education work of its own.

At present the District of Medellin has 55 Brothers with Perpetual Vows, 4 with Temporary Vows, 3 Postulants and 6 pre-Novices, 7 Novices and 8 Scholastics. There are 2 projects with Basic Primary Schools; 14 with Basic Primary and Secondary; 4 Houses of Formation; one House for Retired Brothers; one Retreat House; one Higher Education Project and the Provincialate House which houses the District central offices. The only private project which has a Brother as Director is San José College in Medellin.

At present there are lay Directors in La Salle College in Bello, La Salle Envigado, the San Carlos Institute and La Salle University Corporation in Antioquia; Biffi College and La Salle Institute in Atlantico; La Salle College in Monteria and La Salle College in Pereira. The Brothers work as Directors in the projects in marginalized areas, thus seeking a closer relationship with the poorest and most in need of a quality Catholic education to prepare them for life, assuring them of personal and intellectual growth. The new seat of La Salle University Corporation was built in the municipality of Caldas (Antioquia) - a place some distance from Medellin - where there was no provision for higher studies and where the population is economically weak, thus giving La Salle an opportunity to provide higher professional education to the people of this part of Antioquia.

The Retreat House is a comfortable building in eastern Antioquia. It is well laid out, ensuring that staying there is as satisfactory and comfortable as possible. It has a chapel, library, auditorium, single and double rooms and rooms for meetings.

The House for Retired Brothers is situated in the municipality of Envigado and is staffed by a group expert in the care and attention of older Brothers who arrive at Parmenia to relax and have an opportunity to carry out different apostolic activities such as catechising and helping in the parish.

For further information consult our web pages:
Casa Provincial Medellin: www.delasalle.edu.co
Casa de Ejercicios: www.delasalle.com.co
Corporación Universitaria Lasallista: www.lasallista.edu.co