Ms. Carmelita Lazatin
Before I retired from Benilde in Dec. 2017, I was the Vice President for Mission and Student Life.

Today, I engage with the Christian Brothers of North America on short term projects such as being the Dean of Student Life of St. Mary’s University, Winona MN while the Dean was on maternity leave (2018) and a member of the admin staff of the International Association of Lasallian Universities Leadership program in Rome (2019).
I am led from one commitment to another. I am La Salle. 
Before I retired from Benilde in Dec. 2017, I was the Vice President for Mission and Student Life.

Today, I engage with the Christian Brothers of North America on short term projects such as being the Dean of Student Life of St. Mary’s University, Winona MN while the Dean was on maternity leave (2018) and a member of the admin staff of the International Association of Lasallian Universities Leadership program in Rome (2019).

How did your Lasallian journey start?

When I joined De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2003, the values of faith, service, and communion in mission resonated in me even if this was my first encounter with a La Salle school. I marveled at the commitment of fellow Lasallians to the Mission (both Partners and Brothers), the deep and wide network of our Lasallian family, and the process of accompaniment in varying forms. 

After each formation program I attended, I returned to my school community sharing more of the life and accomplishments of our Founder and how enamored I was by his ways. Slowly, the more I repeated the Founder’s story, always highlighting his belief in Providence and without any deliberate effort, I seriously began relating De La Salle’s (DLS) life to mine, evaluating my ways in relation to his life stages/turning points (Meeting Adrien Nyel, Heroic Vows, Return to Vaugirard and Parmenie). And I suppose this is when I began to look at things more through the eyes of faith – when solace and solitude were welcomed places, when service was grounded on faith and accepting that we do things collaboratively.

As part of my work, the most enriching and inspiring experience were:

  • Being able to collaborate with those who are in the margins strengthening our Mission in whatever creative, innovative and respectful manner; and
  • Participating in local and international Formation Programs deepened my spirituality that changed my personal and professional life.

The concern I have on the Mission today is the Adult formation developed and conducted for the diverse members of each school community, respectful of one’s faith, gender orientation, etc.

My most important hope for the Mission is a quote from former Br. Superior General Alvaro R. Echeverria FSC:

“Build a world in which everyone is taken into account and treated with respect and affection; one in which education and new technology are at the service of justice, peace and solidarity; one in which we are not afraid of announcing that Jesus is our Savior; one in which a spirit of respect, dialogue, and tolerance of other religions prevails and one in which we know  how to join forces and come together with men and women from diverse cultures and religions in order to build a more fraternal and just society.”