Paying tribute to St John Baptist De La Salle

May 29, 2014

By Percy D’Cruz
The LaSalle Brothers community in Malaysia is indeed proud to have educated thousands of LaSallians who have been such an integral part of our nation as professionals, parents, teachers and exemplary members of society.

Many of these former students have long been associated with the LaSallian education system and as alumni are contributing their services especially to the marginalised and under-priviledged. They are all proud to be part of the LaSallian family.

St Francis Institution (SFI), built in 1880 has a large gleaming white marble statue of St John Baptist De La Salle standing in the front compound along Jalan Banda Hilir. The walled grotto of the saint was recently erected, courtesy of the Class of 1975.

In conjunction with the Teacher’s Day celebrations, the SFI Class of 1975 accorded recognition to St. John Baptist De La Salle with the unveiling of a light green coloured marble statue mounted on a column pedestal at the Heritage Corner. Officiating at the unveiling ceremony were Bro. Anthony Rogers, the Sector Leader for Malaysian Brothers’ Schools and former SFI principal Bro. Ambrose Loke. In attendance were a large number of former school students, supporters and teachers.

According to a spokesperson of the statue project, the whole cost of its purchase from China, its mounting together with a gold plated signage came up to around RM7,000.00. The cost was entirely borne by the SFI Class of 1975 as an everlasting tribute to the saint’s contributions to the futherance of the holistic LaSallian education system.