LA SALETTE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

 After serious and prayerful reflections, the La Salette Fathers were convinced that putting up a school would hasten the spread of Mary’s vision. Thus, in 1949, they founded Fatima High School offering only first and second year curriculum with Fr. Paul Douillard, MS who was also first Missionary priest in San Mateo as its first director. After a year, the school was renamed La Salette High School (now La Salette of San Mateo) after the name of the La Salette Fathers and owners. 

It was through Fr. Paul Douillard’s efforts and missionary spirit that a school, La Salette of Aurora was put up. The school started operation on July 1, 1950. It catered to the educational needs of the children of Catholic families in the parish, and those from nearby towns of Burgos, San Manuel, and other towns of Western Isabela.

In keeping with the mission to spread the message of the Blessed Virgin Mary, La Salette of Aurora has become the evangelizing arm of the parish. Since its humble beginnings, it has helped many Catholic families as evidenced by the many Catholic professionals – products of this honored institution – who enroll their children as a sound and laudable manifestation of their trust and confidence in Salettinian Education.

La Salette of Roxas, Inc. was founded on June 1957. It was incorporated in September of the same year with Mr. Elpidio Meriuje teaming up with Fr. Emery Des Rochers, MS as the first principal of the school. 

La Salette of Roxas College Inc. has continually embarked on difficult but worthy endeavors of fulfilling its mission and commitment of offering Christian, quality Catholic education not only in Roxas, Isabela but in the entire Mallig Region.

In 1959, the La Salette Missionaries established a Catholic School in their community. In June, 1960 the school started operating with Fr. Paul Douillard, MS as its first Director. This strengthened the ground of the La Salette Fathers to continue making the place a mission territory. 

In 1986, a tragedy struck La Salette of Quezon. Fire of unknown origin razed one of the school buildings to ashes. In spite of the crisis that was experienced, the faith of the people remained undaunted. There was evident unity of purpose and willingness to sacrifice from among the La Salette Missionaries, the school and the community so that by June, 1986 there evolved forth a new, bigger and more equipped structure which was ready for use by the next school year.

In the 1960’s, Fr. Conrad Blanchet, MS then incumbent Vice-Provincial Superior of the La Salette Missionaries, worked for the establishment of a La Salette School in Jones. This work was taken as a priority apostolate of the Congregation with Fr. Alphonse Larochelle, MSas its first director.

La Salette of Jones has grown and progressed, although rather slowly due to the presence of a national school and a rural agricultural school in the locality which offers lower tuition fees. The school successfully survived through the years because of its acquired reputation for high academic standard and good discipline, religious education, and quality academic programs.

One significant act of the people of Cabatuan was their response to the needs of the children of Catholic families in the community. In May, 1967, Fr. Andre Lussier, MS, the parish priest since 1960 assisted the laying of the cornerstone for the new school with Bishop Teodulfo Domingo, DD but he as not to see the completion of the high school he worked hard for and helped to set up. It was Fr. Rutillo Malllillin, MS who had the privilege of being its first Rector.

 The difficulty of the people in sending their children to nearby towns gave birth to La Salette of Ramon, Inc. on January 13, 1968. The Catholic Community of the town expressed to the parish priest, who was a La Salette Missionary their desire to have a Catholic school in the vicinity. The Vice-Provincial of the La Salette Missionaries acted on the crying need of the people and sent Fr. Efren L. Musngi, MS to negotiate with the town mayor on the establishment of a La Salette School in the area. The rapid growth and progress of the institution have always been the fruit of the unparalleled cooperation of its parents-teachers association. 

La Salette of Santiago High School was officially founded on September 15, 1950 on the occasion of the 104th Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette in the small village of la Salette in France.

It was at this time when one of the most urgent needs of the people of the Cagayan Valley Region was the establishment of Catholic Schools to provide the youth of the valley with strong Catholic and moral foundation.

Rev. Fr. Conrad Blanchet, MS heading a delegation of three priests namely Fr. Paul Douillard, MS, Fr. Raymond Leduc, MS, and Bro. Donat Levasseur, MS arrived at Santiago, Isabela in 1948.

Immediately, upon the arrival, in the great desire of the pioneers of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette to respond to the crying needs of the people, negotiations for the acquisition of land where the schools would be put up were made.

La Salette of Santiago High School was established with 456 students distributed in four levels of the High School Curriculum. The first year of operation was in the school year 1951-1952. Fr. John Louis Pelessier, MS became the first rector while Mr. Honorato Olay was the first Principal. The College department was opened in Schoolyear 1952-1953.

From 1951 to date, the institution has gone through a series of developments. The long-awaited dream of becoming a University was realized on June 25, 1998. Formal inauguration and awarding of the University Charter were held. Fr. Romeo B. Gonzales, MS, PhDwho had served the college since 1979 was installed as the first University President.

Today, the University of La Salette, stands with pride in serving the youth of Santiago City, Province of Isabela, and the entire Cagayan Valley. In pursuit of academic excellence, Christian formation, leadership and service, University of La Salette continues to offer well-founded education that provides an opportunity for self-realization and actualization. Each one is called to continue to live by the heart the message of Our Lady of La Salette for conversion, prayer, and zeal and to make her message known to all people.