By Caius Timothy Yeoh Rui, Secondary Year 4-SJI
I was one of the lucky students chosen to be invited to La Salle House this year for the gathering of Young Lasallians in Singapore with the theme, “Young Lasallians: Partners in the Mission,” held on 9 May 2026. This event brought together 14 young Lasallians from St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI), together with Mr. Dominic Ang, Vice Principal of SJI, and Br. Ivan Umali FSC of La Salle Centre - Singapore, with the principal aim of deepening our understanding of the Lasallian Mission in relation to the Global Young Lasallian movement. Facilitated by Chelsea Catli, a member of the Youth and Vocations Committee of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD), the gathering also served as preparation for the Singapore Mission Assembly, which would take place the following day.
As first-timers, my friends and I only had a vague idea of what the gathering would be about. Lasallian-related stuff? A lecture on De La Salle values? Despite having studied in Lasallian schools for roughly seven years already, my impression and understanding of the Lasallian identity had always been somewhat blurred and unclear — simply serving the poor, like how our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, served others.
However, I had always felt connected to and drawn towards the Lasallian identity, even without fully understanding what it truly meant until this experience. Although I was definitely more exposed to the Josephian context of my school, SJI, I always found a firmer sense of meaning whenever Lasallians stood up shoulder to shoulder, singing “We are Lasallians.”
During the preparation session for the assembly, our facilitator, Chelsea Catli, explained the actual work of the Lasallian mission clearly and concisely. My understanding of the Lasallian identity began to expand. Regions. Districts. Sectors. I realised that I am part of a worldwide Lasallian organisation actively striving to serve “the last, the lost, and the least” — the peripheries who are often overlooked and ignored by society. And this very purpose and mission are what make us Lasallian.
So how can I live out my life the Lasallian way? Well, LEAD explains it perfectly:
- Live your Passion
- Engage with Peripheries
- Aspire for Change
- Dare to Love
One should live out one’s passion, actively engage with the peripheries, aspire for greater change in the world, and dare to love others as much as one loves oneself.
As a Catholic, these values are deeply aligned with what I believe in. As Matthew 20:16 says, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Just as St. John Baptist de La Salle gave up wealth and status to serve “the last, the lost, and the least,” Lasallians today are also called to live lives of humble service, helping those in the peripheries experience transformation and hope.
One thing that was explained especially well was the connection between the Lasallian mission and the present world. How can Lasallians continue to live out their purpose today? I was genuinely amazed when I understood how structured and organised the Lasallian mission truly is.
There are four different fields of Lasallian work:
Culture of Vocations. Helping others discover their vocational purpose in life.
Serving the Poor. Direct service work — being physically present to accompany and serve those in the peripheries.
Sustainable Organisational Growth. Reviewing structures and frameworks within the Lasallian organisation to ensure continued growth and effectiveness.
Networking and Communications. Travelling across sectors and districts to communicate, collaborate, and gather feedback.
This is a contemporary organisation that continues to adapt to an ever-changing world, while remaining faithful to the core identity of being Lasallian: an active call to serve those in the peripheries.
With this deeper understanding of the Lasallian mission and identity, thanks to Chelsea’s session, I entered the Singapore LEAD Mission Assembly 2026 feeling calm and confident. I was clearer about what I felt and what I believed about being Lasallian. There is now a fire of passion within me to live out the Lasallian mission and to become more involved as a Lasallian.
And so, my Lasallian experience has now been painted much more clearly.
