The Foundation
The Congregation of the Brothers of Christian Instruction is a lay religious congregation of pontifical right. We are men who, responding to a special call of the Holy Spirit, pledge ourselves totally to God through the public profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
Living in community, our lifelong mission is dedicated to serving God’s people. While our historical roots are deeply planted in the Christian education and instruction of youth, our mission calls us to serve the poor and vulnerable, making Jesus Christ better known and better loved wherever we are needed.
Our 200-Year History
Our story began in France on June 6, 1819, when Jean-Marie de la Mennais and Gabriel Deshayes united their efforts to provide teachers of solid piety for children in the impoverished Breton countryside. By 1824, Plöermel became the motherhouse of a rapidly growing Congregation.
Animated by the Holy Spirit and the zeal of our Founders, the Brothers carried the light of the Gospel across the oceans. Despite facing intense hardships, including the official suppression of the Congregation in France in 1903, the Brothers persevered. We expanded to Canada in 1886, and soon after established a vibrant presence in the United States. Today, the seeds planted by our Founders have flourished into a global presence spanning 25 countries across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Our Founders
Left: Fr. Gabriel Deshayes. Right: Fr. Jean-Marie de la Mennais
Father Gabriel Deshayes
1767 – 1841
Ordained in 1792, Fr. Deshayes was the pastor at Auray and vicar general of Vannes. Driven by a mission to carry the Gospel to the working class, he united with Fr. de la Mennais in 1819 to establish our Congregation.
Father Jean-Marie de la Mennais
1780 – 1860
Ordained in 1804, Fr. de la Mennais was the vicar of Saint-Brieuc. Together with Fr. Deshayes, he founded the Brothers of Christian Instruction, dedicating his life to providing teachers of solid piety for children in need.
Mennaisian Spirituality & Prayer Life
The spiritual life of a Brother is the engine of his ministry. Our "Mennaisian Spirituality"—the spiritual heritage passed down from Jean-Marie de la Mennais—is rooted in the presence of God, unity, and an intimate relationship with Christ.
As religious men, our days are anchored in prayer. The Eucharist is the summit toward which the life of our community; it is the source of divine love and selflessness that sustains us. Through daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours (Lauds and Vespers), and Eucharistic Adoration, we participate in the official prayer of the Church.
We also hold a deep love and veneration for the Virgin Mary. We entrust our religious and apostolic lives to her maternal care, giving daily expression to this devotion through the meditated recitation of the Rosary.
Our Heritage in Song
For over two centuries, our mission has been carried forward by men completely dedicated to Christ. Listen to our traditional congregational hymn, sung in our founding language of French. This historical recording honors our deep roots in Plöermel, France, and unites the voices of Brothers who continue to serve our mission today with those who have faithfully gone home to the Lord.
Discover Our Global Mission
To learn more about the Brothers of Christian Instruction around the world, please visit our international congregational website.