Together and By Association
By Brother Robert Smith, FSC, PhD
Senior Vice President for University Initiatives
Special Advisor to the President
Executive Director, Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership
The Lasallian theme “Together and By Association” has in recent decades been widely-used to capture the way in which Lasallian institutions attempt to build community as well as to describe the way they engage their unique educational mission. While an easy and popular phrase to use in our efforts to articulate the importance of community in all that we do, those four words actually have a much older and, all in all, an historically different connotation.
In their dramatic “heroic vow” of 1691, De La Salle and two Brothers made a vow of “association and union,” committing themselves to realize the establishment of the “Society” of Brothers in order to provide gratuitous schools for the poor. The more well-known phrase and commonly used refrain “together and by association” is found in the vow formula of 1694 and it has remained so for the past 330 years. Over those many years the use, understanding, meaning, and history of “together and by association,” in particular as seen and expressed in and through the Brothers’ vow formula, has ebbed and flowed. Not surprising, a considerable amount of historical research and theological reflection has been done in this regard. Perhaps no Brother has done more to bring “together and by association” to the forefront of the Brothers and their vow formula than Brother John Johnson, B’55, M’63, Hon EdD’87 (1933-2007) during his time as Superior General (1986-2000) and beyond. For Brother John’s insights on this, please see pages 114-116.
The original meaning and use of the term “together and by association” in the Brothers’ vow formula was to express before God each Brother’s commitment, one to another, in community. It also served to reflect the relationships between and the “connectedness” of the Brothers in one particular school (being “together” in running the school) with Brothers running the other schools in the “Society” (being in “association” with the other Lasallian schools—at the time, all in France). Perhaps we can think in terms of an early “educational association.” From a few schools in one country three and a half centuries ago to more than 1000 institutions in some 80 countries today. Another more “modern” way to capture the sense of “together and by association” might be: “think globally, act locally.”
While the Brothers profess a vow of association, more and more in the most recent history of the Institute, the sense of (formally vowed or not) “together and by association” came to capture a profound philosophy that emphasizes unity, collaboration, and communal effort in the pursuit of the educational mission. Rooted in the teachings of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, this concept encourages individuals to work collectively, leveraging their diverse talents and strengths to achieve common goals and uplift each other.
To and for the global Lasallian family, at its core, “together and by association” is about fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. It underscores the idea that we are stronger and more effective when we join forces, sharing our resources, knowledge, and skills. This approach not only enhances individual growth but also cultivates a vibrant and dynamic community in which everyone feels valued and included. It challenges us to move beyond individualism and embrace a spirit of solidarity, where we recognize that our successes and failures are intertwined with those of others.
In essence, the Lasallian principle of “Together and By Association” is a call to action. It invites us to embrace collaboration, foster inclusivity, and commit to the shared mission of making a difference in the lives of others. It reminds us that, united in purpose and effort, we can achieve remarkable things and create lasting impacts on our communities and beyond.
