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Blessed Nicolas Barré

31 May

Profile

Educated by Jesuits. Joined the Minims of Saint Francis of Paola at age 19. Taught philosophy while still a deacon. Priest. Director of the library at the convent of Place Royale, Paris, France. Noted preacher. Falling ill, he was sent to the friary in Amiens, France, and then to Rouen, France. After much prayer and thought, Nicholas decided that a lack of education was behind most social evils as young people were unable to fit into society, and so he started an educational movement. Small general classes were begun in many parishes, and trade schools and apprentice programs soon developed. He helped found a community of men and women teachers dedicated to public education; these Charitable Teachers helped found several other groups with the same mission. Consulted several times by Saint John Baptist de la Salle who used Nicolas’s thought when founding the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Noted spiritual director who taught an abandonment to faith. Founded Sisters of the Infant Jesus, Sisters of the Infant Jesus – Providence Sisters of Rouen and Sisters of Providence of Lisieux.