BU Celebrates De La Salle Day

Saint John Baptist De la Salle’s mission in the 17th century in France was education especially for children of the working class and poor. Today, more than 80,000 laywomen and laymen work together with about 5,000 De La Salle Brothers to continue the work of John Baptist De La Salle.

Bethlehem University, the very first university in the West Bank, was co-founded by the Vatican, De LaSalle Christian Brothers and Palestinian educators in 1973. The University was founded to provide quality higher education for the Palestinian people, fostering shared values, moral principles and dedication to serving the common good.

Staff and faculty members of the University annually celebrate De La Salle day on May 15 beginning with a Mass in the University’s Chapel, with special recognition of those who are serving for the sake of this noble mission – education –. Click here to see the list of honorees.

Under the patronage of H.E Archbishop Antonio Franco, Chancellor of Bethlehem University, and H.E Archbishop Fuwad Twal, President of BU, the University celebrated with the participation of His Excellency Mr. Manuel Hassassian, Palestinian Representative to the UK, Mr. George Sa’adeh, Deputy Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Raji Zidan Mayor of Beit Jala, as well as friends and members of the Board of Trustees of the University.

This year the celebration also was to dedicate the University’s original building – De La Salle Hall – which was constructed in the 1893 as a Provincial House for the Christian Brothers and became the first building of the University in 1973. The building has been completely renovated with the help of more than 200 friends and benefactors around the world who contributed to this project. Mr. Jacob Walles, American Consul General and representative of USAID, the major donor for the renovation project, received a special recognition.   Additionally Mrs. Emy Handal Hazboun and Mrs. Odette Hazboun were able to attend the ceremony representing Dr. Edward Anton Hazboun.  Click here to see the list of donors.