I am delighted to greet all the administrators, faculty, staff and students of the La Salle School, Freeport. I think that your School and the others Schools in the Lasallian Association of San Miguel Schools has been one of the Institute's best initiatives in recent years. I deeply admire what you do and I am pleased to see how the network that was formed is gaining ground more and more in most of the Districts of the Region, not only in terms of more schools, but also because of the spirit that has been created with which you can identify today. You are really a island of creativity that can to inspire others initiatives. I think that Brother Miguel would himself feel very honored since you chose his name for this venture and it was he who worked with the poor children of Quito and was involved with the publication of school textbooks so as to put knowledge within reach of the young.

I think that it is always important to recall that an orientation towards the poor is an integral part of the purpose of our Institute, which means that this direction must be kept in mind when dealing with new foundations, when calling into question works which already exist, or when formation guidelines are under consideration. On the other hand, the diversity of historical situations demands that District or Delegation Chapters clearly define a policy that really engages persons and ministries in service of the poor. The schools in the Lasallian Association of San Miguel Schools are a concrete, valid and effective way to respond to this invitation which the Institute made to us more than thirty years ago.

The San Miguel Schools are also an excellent way of living out what today we call association. It is wonderful to see Brothers, volunteers, lay persons, priests, men and women religious of other congregations who are united to serve young people at risk. It is always a sign of life and hope that Brothers and associated members in the Lasallian spirit look to the future in order to respond together to the enormous educational challenges that the young present to us today. We were founded for young people and they are the ones who should show us how to proceed. If we are their teachers we should not forget that it is also fitting to be their disciples and to have our hearts open to their teaching.

Personally, I think that we should leave aside so many biases that at times show us only the other side of the coin and learn how to appreciate the countless positive facets of the young people with whom we work. Our work as teachers, as those who accompany, as guides, and as friends of the young has enormous value today.