|
 The District of Venezuela |
 The first Brothers arrived in Venezuela on February 9, 1913, from the District of Panama and they began their educational work just four days later. The country was going through a precarious time where hunger, illiteracy and tropical diseases was decimating the population as a consequence of the civil wars fought during the nineteenth century.
In society as a whole at that time, the presence of the Church was very weak due to the expulsion of religious congregations which was implemented by anti-clerical governments. Nevertheless, the Brothers were accepted because of their educational prestige along with their lay character. They began their work in secret, in Barquismeto, and this work was limited to schools. Eventually, this work would radiate throughout the country over the course of the next ninety years of history during which the Brothers were engaged in working with children and young people.
 During the first phase (1913 - 1950), the Institute established itself in Venezuela and it grew at the same rate as a country which was being reconstructed based on the running of the oil industry. New demands emerged due to the immigration from the farming areas tot he city and the search for better living conditions. Cities grew dramatically and the Brothers were involved in the training of new generations of children and young people, providing them with the necessary tools for exercising a new type of citizenship based on Christian thinking.
Once established in Barquismeto, the Brothers founded another ministry in Puerto Cabello (1921) which had access to the sea and thus enabled contact with the nearby communities of Panamá. From there they went to the capital, Caracas (1922), and then to Valencia (1925). They were subsequently called to the Andean area and they founded San Cristóbal (1932) and Mérida (1963). Growth in the capital city brought about the opening of a branch of the Colegio there which later would become La Salle La Colina (1944)..
 With the passage of time, each ministry continued to grow and expand within the cities themselves, and establishments were founded in poor neighborhoods, where the Brothers provided educational opportunities to children and young people of modest means. Schools of this type are: Parroquial San Juan (1940) in Caracas, Los Taladros (1944) in Valencia, the Brother John School (1963) in Barquismeto, Baloche (1983) in Puerto Cabello and the Brother Luis School (1997) in Mérida.
During this period, the Brothers consolidated their presence in the country, promoted native vocations and established the District of Caracas (1950).
 With regard to vocations, the Dos Caminos house of formation in Caracas (1928 - 1970) housed the junior novitiate, the novitiate, scholasticate, second novitiate and the Holy Family community. The La Salle Normal School also was located there and, because of its prestige and educational quality, became a very important Catholic teacher-training center for religious congregations in the country.
The Brothers prepared and published numerous educational texts for daily use by students throughout the country. They also worked in catechesis programs with students from the various cities poor areas, Catholic associations (such as Catholic Action, the Legion of Mary, Vanguard) and they worked to promote the various Scout groups in the schools. All these activities give proof of great creativity and social planning as part and parcel of the Christian school. Special mention should be made our role in the leadership training. These leaders went in to hold important positions in the political, social, economic, religious and cultural life of the country.
 During this period also we would highlight the efforts of the Brothers in the area of research; first of all, in Barquismeto, where they worked in the fields of mineralogy, archeology, paleontology and history. Brothers the stature of Nectario María, Basilio and Juan are proof of the extensive effort carried out as a contribution to Venezuelan science and culture. Secondly, the efforts of Brother Ginés began formally in 1940 in Caracas the Lasallian Society of Natural Science, which later would lead to the formation of the Lasallian Foundation of Natural Science, an impressive research and educational work that has grown with the help of a significant number of Brothers and lay partners and which today is a paradigm of association for the education of the poor throughout the Institute.
 In the second phase (1950 - 2000) the Brothers reinforced their presence in the Catholic educational system within the country. Along with other congregations they actively participated in the consolidation of the Venezuelan Catholic Education Association (AVEC) as well as in searching for responses to the educational needs of the poor. To do this, the Brothers have strengthened their presence in works for the poor and they participate with the Church in Venezuela in an agreement with the Venezuelan government which subsidizes schools attended by families with limited resources. This represents an important step for the District, which is developing its own Lasallian Education Program (PEL) and its reason for existence as a community associated together for the educational service of the poor.
 Today we Brothers of the District of Venezuela, aware of our lived history and our present-day service, are protagonists of a new era in our history (2000 - 2003). Facing the demands of the 43rd General Chapter, we are looking for greater vitality and responses to increase the viability of the District. New vocations are the reason for our hope. |
|
