In a moving farewell celebration on Sunday, May 15th, Christian Brothers High School honored the men who had founded and guided the institution for 135 years. The San Francisco District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers is closing the Brothers’ residence adjacent to the Sacramento campus in June of this year. While the religious order will no longer maintain a home for its members in the city, it will maintain a presence at the high school with frequent visits from the Brothers, a staff trained in the Lasallian tradition, and oversight through the Lasallian Education Corporation.

The current community comprised of Brothers Donald Johanson (who will assume the position of Visitor of the District on July 1), Christopher Donnelly, and Thomas Pham were joined by over 30 Brothers from throughout the District to accept the thanks and respect bestowed on them by the administration, faculty, students, parents, and alumni.

A Brothers’ community was established on July 16, 1876, to support Saint Patrick Institute, the original school that was begun by the Christian Brothers for Catholic boys of Sacramento. Over the decades, the school evolved into Christian Brothers College, and then Christian Brothers School. In 1956, the upper division classes became part of a new co-instructional institution, Bishop Armstrong High School. After a new Catholic high school for girls was opened in 1964, Bishop Armstrong became once again a Brothers’ high school for boys, and in 1968 its name became Christian Brothers High School.

Over the century of their presence in Sacramento, 384 Brothers were assigned to the community, the majority of whom served at the school. The life-long influence and close ties engendered by those men was attested to by the many alumni who attended the farewell, ranging from recent graduates to members of early classes. School President Lorcan Barnes spoke movingly of the indelible influence of the Brothers: “Try to imagine what Sacramento would be like today had the Brothers not opened up this school. It’s impossible. The Brothers have blessed us with a rich tradition. We are grateful. We are honored. We proudly embrace the opportunity to continue the legacy.”

Full text of remarks
(click to read)
Brother Stanislaus Campbell’s Tribute
Lorcan Barnes’ Opening Address
Brother John Montgomery On the Significance of Community