The Salesian Family

They are a winning combination!

St. Jane de Chantal (1572-1641)

Born: January 23, 1572 In Dijon, France Married in 1592 to Christophe de Rabutin-

Chantal Had four children- all lived to adulthood In 1601- Christophe dies in a hunting

accident Under duress, she moves into father-in-law’s

house where she develops a great care for the poor and sick

St. Jane continued In 1604- meets Francis de Sales as he

preaches Lenten Sermons in Dijon He becomes her Spiritual Director Jane wants to enter a religious order;

Francis encourages her to remain a widow and mother

On June 10, 1610, she and two other women begin their novitiate year at the Galerie House in Annecy

The community becomes the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary

St. Jane- and we continueSt. Jane- and we continue

Francis continues to help Jane in her religious Francis continues to help Jane in her religious studiesstudies

Their routine focused on prayer and visiting the Their routine focused on prayer and visiting the sicksick

The community must follow papal enclosure as The community must follow papal enclosure as other communities of women had to at that timeother communities of women had to at that time

Jane developed a friendship with Vincent de Jane developed a friendship with Vincent de Paul and he becomes her spiritual director after Paul and he becomes her spiritual director after Francis’ deathFrancis’ death

Last word on JaneLast word on Jane

She established 82 communities before She established 82 communities before her death on December 13, 1641her death on December 13, 1641

She died at the Visitation Monastery at She died at the Visitation Monastery at MoulinsMoulins

She was buried near St. FrancisShe was buried near St. Francis She was canonized in 1767She was canonized in 1767 Her feast day is August 18thHer feast day is August 18th

Margaret Mary Alacoque

Born Marguerite Alacoque on July 22, 1647- the fifth of seven children

Takes a vow of chastity at an early ageBecame ill and prayed the Rosary and

promised to join a community dedicated to the Blessed Mother

August 25, 1671, joins the Visitation community in Paray-le-Monial

St. Margaret- continuesSt. Margaret- continues

Takes the name- Sr. Margaret MaryTakes the name- Sr. Margaret Mary Became physically frail as she was Became physically frail as she was

enraptured frequentlyenraptured frequently Had visions of the Christ Had visions of the Christ Told her that he would adapt his grace to Told her that he would adapt his grace to

the spirit of the rule, the will of her the spirit of the rule, the will of her superior, and her own weaknesssuperior, and her own weakness

Her unique vocation would be closely Her unique vocation would be closely associated with Christ’s suffering (His associated with Christ’s suffering (His Passion)Passion)

St. Margaret MarySt. Margaret Mary

Margaret leans her head on Christ’s breast Margaret leans her head on Christ’s breast in 1673in 1673

This is her first visionThis is her first vision After second vision, she receives the After second vision, she receives the

mission for the establishment of a liturgical mission for the establishment of a liturgical feast day for his Sacred Heartfeast day for his Sacred Heart

Claude de la Colombiere, SJ, becomes Claude de la Colombiere, SJ, becomes apostle of this devotionapostle of this devotion

The last words on St. Margaret

Experiences opposition in her community as a “visionary”

Becomes a “victim soul”- Suffering Servant

Died on October 17, 1690Canonized on May 13, 1920Feast Day- October 16th

The Seven Visitation Martyrs

• Lived during the Spanish Civil Way• Stayed in the cloister after other

sisters fled• 6 out of the 7 were shot and killed• 7th returned after fleeing to be

executed

The Martyrs ContinuedThe Martyrs Continued

Martyrdom of Love (everyday ways Martyrdom of Love (everyday ways to die to self so others can be to die to self so others can be helped)helped)

Martyrdom of the Body (death of the Martyrdom of the Body (death of the body due to belief)body due to belief)

Remember their words- “What a joy, Remember their words- “What a joy, martyrdom is not far off”martyrdom is not far off”

Shared feast day- Nov. 18thShared feast day- Nov. 18th

Leonie Aviat (1844-1914) Born: September 16, 1844 in Sezanne, France At 11 she went to the Visitation convent school in

Troyes at 11 yrs. Old She met Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis, superior of

the monastery and Fr. Brisson, chaplain At 22 years of age, she made a retreat at the Troyes

Visitation At this time, Fr. Brisson asked her to assist in the

ministry to young women working in factories

Leonie Aviat (continued) On April 18, 1866, she assumed responsibility

for the Girl’s club On Oct. 11, 1871, she professed her first vows

as Leonie Aviat Sister Francis de Sales in a new congregation, Oblate Sisters of Francis de Sales

Students received both religious and professional training

Sister St. Francis de Sales (Leonie Aviat,remember)

The Sisters began boarding schools where they shared the spirituality of Francis de Sales

“Let us work for the happiness of others: let us be God’s little tools and allow Him to use us as He wishes.”

Sisters establish missions in South Africa and Ecuador and other parts of Europe

1903, French government evicts all religious orders and sells their property

Final Words on Leonie Aviat 1908, Plancy, France, she goes and receives

blessing from Fr. Brisson before he dies Returns to Perugia, Italy to complete the

Constitutions of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales

Pius X gives them final approbation in 1911 Dies: January 10, 1914 Canonized: 2001

Mary de Sales Chappuis- 1793-1875

Born: June 16, 1793 in Soyhieres- small village in the Swiss Jura

Her birth name was Marie Teresa Chappuis

7th of 11 children Sent to school at the Visitation in

Fribourg, Switzerland when she is 12

Mary de Sales Chappuis

She enters religious life Professes her final vows in Fribourg on

June 9, 1816 as Sister Mary de Sales Chappuis

Reestablishes community in Troyes after French Revolution

Truly understood the sisters with whom she ministered

Sr. Mary Francis de SalesSr. Mary Francis de Sales

““Cut short all the thread of your own will, Cut short all the thread of your own will, and then you will be able to fly in the way and then you will be able to fly in the way of obedience”of obedience”Opened a school for young women to Opened a school for young women to educate them in the way of SFDS and educate them in the way of SFDS and JaneJaneVery generous with all and principal focus Very generous with all and principal focus was on Sacred Humanity of Christwas on Sacred Humanity of Christ

Mary de Sales and Fr. BrissonMary de Sales and Fr. Brisson

• Much like St. Francis and St. Jane, she urges Fr. Brisson, the chaplain of the monastery, to establish a religious order of men who would follow the Spiritual Directory of SFDS and spread his vision

• After 30 years, Fr. Brisson does just this

• Dies: October 7, 1875

Louis Brisson- 1817-1908

Born: Louis-Alexandre on June 23, 1817 in Plancy, France

Only child of a grocer Was educated by a local priest who

had a vast library Read everything he could dealing with

the sciences and religion

Louis BrissonLouis Brisson

Ordained a priest on Dec. 19, 1840Ordained a priest on Dec. 19, 1840 Served as instructor at the Visitation Served as instructor at the Visitation

School in Troyes, later became School in Troyes, later became chaplainchaplain

Mother Chappuis urges him to begin Mother Chappuis urges him to begin religious community of menreligious community of men

After vision of Christ, he does soAfter vision of Christ, he does so

Louis Brisson-• In 1859, opens a home for young

women and with Leonie Aviat begins a community for Oblate Sisters

• On Aug. 27, 1876, Louis and 5 other men profess their vows as Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

• Louis instructs both congregations: “Hold your students in high esteem. Instead of frustrating them, lend a hand to the work the grace accomplishes in these young souls.”

Final words on Fr. BrissonFinal words on Fr. Brisson• In 1881, meets with Leo XIII, accepts a

foreign mission• In 1887, he finished the biography of

Mother Chappuis • In 1887, the Constitution of the Oblates is

provisionally accepted• On Dec. 7, 1897, final approbation• Dies on February 2, 1908• Last words- “Jesus-my love- Mary- Joseph”

St. John BoscoSt. John Bosco

Born in near Turin Italy on 8-16-1815Born in near Turin Italy on 8-16-1815 Born to a struggling peasant familyBorn to a struggling peasant family Greatly devoted to the Blessed Greatly devoted to the Blessed

MotherMother Worked hard at his studies like SFDSWorked hard at his studies like SFDS Ordained at 26Ordained at 26 Dedicated his life to helping orphans Dedicated his life to helping orphans

by giving them a safe shelterby giving them a safe shelter

St. John BoscoSt. John Bosco

Developed the “Preventative Developed the “Preventative System” of educationSystem” of education

Built oratories, workshops, clubs…Built oratories, workshops, clubs… Communicate the goodness you find Communicate the goodness you find

present in every studentpresent in every student Sought to create an atmosphere Sought to create an atmosphere

where religion, reason and love where religion, reason and love create a joyful spiritcreate a joyful spirit

ST. JOHN BOSCO

Some concluding thoughts: Canonized on April 1, 1934 Feast Day is January 31st

His thought for us: “To suffer, to work, to humiliate myself always

and everywhere when souls are at stake. May the charity and sweetness of Saint Francis de Sales guide me in everything.”

Where is St. Francis guiding you today?

St. Maria Domenica St. Maria Domenica MazzarelloMazzarello

Long name- unfortunately short Long name- unfortunately short bio- 5-9-1837bio- 5-9-1837

Joined St. John in 1872 in Joined St. John in 1872 in serving the needs of youth.serving the needs of youth.

Had contracted typhoid herself Had contracted typhoid herself while caring for the sick while caring for the sick

St. Maria was the answer to his St. Maria was the answer to his prayers for someone to care for prayers for someone to care for the girls who had no homethe girls who had no home

Saint Maria

Co-founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of the Christians with St. John

Also known as the Salesian Sisters Known herself for her humility and sense of

humor Date of death- 5-14-1881 Canonized on 4-27-1951 and her feast day is

May 14th.

ST. DOMINIC SAVIO- 1842-1857

Birth Day- 4-2-1842 Birth Place- Riva, Italy School days- Well-liked by peers Religious Life- Strong sense of duty to

God Developed keen awareness of the

presence of God at a young age

SCHOOL DAYS AND YOUTH Wrote 4 rules-

Going to confession & communion often Sanctify Sundays and holy days Jesus and Mary will be my____________ Death but not ____________

Had did Dominic help his classmate that demonstrated Dominic’s sincerity of faith?

Friends and LifeFriends and Life

Dominic met St. John Bosco when he Dominic met St. John Bosco when he was 12 years old was 12 years old

How did Dominic prove himself to How did Dominic prove himself to Don Bosco?Don Bosco?

Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate Conception What are the 2 things we are called?What are the 2 things we are called? Last words- “I am seeing the most Last words- “I am seeing the most

wonderful things”wonderful things” Canonized in 1954; Feast day- 3-9Canonized in 1954; Feast day- 3-9

For the testFor the test• Know important dates, places and

people of the Salesian Family• Know their quotes and impact of

their lives• Know all Special Terms• Study every night and you will have

success!