INSTITUTE OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, or, more fully, "Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools," a religious fraternity founded at Reims in 168o, and formally organ ized in 1683, by the priest, Jean Baptiste de la Salle, for the purpose of affording a free education, especially in religion: to the children of the poor. Though not officially connected with the Jesuits, their organization and discipline are very similar; and their work is now carried on in all parts of the world.
See J. B. Blain, La vie du venerable J. B. de la Salle (1887) ; and P. Joseph, art. "Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools" in the Catholic Encyclopaedia (with many references) .