Author: Br Rory Higgins fsc
Publisher: De La Salle Brothers, Australian Province
Review: Clement Mulcahy
This major work places the story of the Brothers of Christian schools within the context of the local and regional histories of the communities served by these men during the 19th century.
The study has an international setting too with an investigation of the mission of Jean Baptiste De La Salle, and later expansion beyond Europe to North America, India and Singapore. Schools in Calcutta and Agra were to be the link between Singapore and the fledgeling foundation in the Swan River colony later known as Western Australia.
While eventually (1906) the De La Salle Brothers opened a school in Armidale NSW, it was to be another 90 years after Botthian’s departure before they finally established a school in ‘the West’ despite ongoing efforts by Bishops Griver and Gibney to re-establish a foundation in colonial times.
La Salle College in Midland was founded in 1954 and a number of past staff, students and chairs of the college board joined present college members at the 3pm launch at St Mary’s Cathedral on 29 November 2011. Emeritus Professor Peter Tannock was welcomed by Brother Ambrose Payne fsc, Brother Visitor (Provincial) of the District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, and other brothers visiting Perth for the occasion.
The standard achieved in this hardback, illustrated edition of 344 pages reflects well upon author and printer. It has a comprehensive bibliography, index, list of contents, appendices, tables and maps and is presented in a clear font.
Many locals would be unaware of the singular contribution made by the two De La Salle brothers in Perth and Fremantle in the 1860s. Botthian and Amphian were domiciled with Bishop Griver and travelled out to their separate schools. In 1950, Michael Mannix of Wembley, then 98, could recall being taught by these men who also developed the Catholic Young Men’s Society and supported the fledgeling St Vincent de Paul Society.
The book title conveys the thrust of the story which also embraces far flung schools in the northern and southern hemispheres. The dust cover links the main protagonist, Botthian Schneider, to the origins of the order and its approval by Benedict XIII in 1725 of Jean Baptiste De La Salle and his outreach to the marginalised.
Through the research, analysis and interpretation provided by the author, the reader gains a sense of mission of two men endeavouring to live out their commitment to the Institute proactively and not as mere neophytes. Br Rory has brought his material together in a compelling narrative. The reader is not being restricted to an analysis of the institutional Church without regard for the human frailties, strengths or social attitudes relevant to the times.
The authoritarianism, unacceptable now, that permeated Catholic hierarchy in the 19th and 20th centuries and impacted upon the management of convents and monasteries according to the strictures of Canon Law and each congregation’s Constitution, is placed in context. The pressure for adaptation to better meet the needs of pioneering conditions as faced both by local bishops, their clergy and the brothers, is well examined and the absorbing narrative loses none of its pace in meeting this test.
Archival material is used very effectively. In drawing on public and private archives and collections for photographic material, the author has provided an engaging pictorial record, including previously unpublished photographs and sketches.
The sacrifices and initiative shown by these resolute men are well captured by the author and provide a strong sense of conditions of the time.
The sandy stretches designated as streets that led towards the Bishop’s ‘palace’ where one classroom was located are captured as is the Fremantle Presbytery (demolished 1915) where Br Amphian was thought to have taught and then later visited to offer weekend catechetical lessons.
A longstanding member of the brothers and successful classroom practitioner, Br Rory Higgins, Master’s graduate from the University of Sydney, lives in the Philippines where he is Novice master for Asia and the Pacific.
The author has consulted archives nationally and internationally as well as De La Salle communities during this research and readers of this fascinating volume will be pleased with the final result. Sr Frances Stibi pbvm from the Archdiocesan Archives of Perth, and archivists from New Norcia, the Sisters of Mercy and the Christian Brothers, and the State Library are among those whose generous involvement has been identified by Br Rory.
The formal acknowledgements express a ready appreciation for local support given in the preparation of this book which brings together many aspects of history.
Available at The Record Bookshop for $49.00