St.Francis de sales,Patron of the msfs

Francis de Sales was born on 21st August 1567 at Thorens near Annecy in France. His birth took place prematurely in the seventh month with great danger to the life of the mother and the boy. He was the eldest of the thirteen children in the family. Before his birth his mother consecrated him to the Lord in the presence of the Holy Shroud. His father, Francois de Boisy and mother, Fraciose de Sionnas led exemplary Christian life and provided a healthy human atmosphere for the growth of their children. Francois de Boisy was a man of resolute judgment, firm in his decisions, good to his subjects and a declared enemy of heresy. Fraciose de Sionnas was a woman of deep piety, generous, noble minded, modest and amiable with every person and a real mother.

History

The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales are a Catholic religious group founded by Pierre-Marie Mermier in Annecy (France) in 1838. In 1845, nearly seven years later, the first Missionaries started their mission in India. The community grew considerably especially in the last 50 years. With more than 1300 members,95 % come from India.We are in more than 30 countries engaged in pastoral work,ethical, technical and vocational education,school education,social work including the care of women, orphans and street children,youth work and research of alternative medicine.

Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales was founded by Fr. Peter Memier in 1838 at La Roche–Sur-Foron, France. The first mission territory entrusted to the new congregation in 1845 was the vast mission territory of Visakhapatnam, in India. Today members of MSFS are spread over many countries in the world, rendering valuable services to the humanity by holding on to its charisma of preaching missions, evangelization and education of the youth.

St. Francis de Sales is the Apostle of Chablais, the Gentleman saint, a Doctor of the Church and the Patron of Writers. Various religious congregations have been founded under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales. And he is the heavenly patron of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales also known as Fransalians. Fr Mermier considered the devotion to Mother of Compassion as one of the integral expressions of salesian spirituality and considered her the natural patroness for the congregation.

Fr. Abraham Vettuvelil msfs is the current Superior General of the congregation. He is assisted by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy (Asst. Superior General & Administor), and councillors Fr. Angelo Fernandes, Fr. Noel Rebello, Fr. George Parampukattil, Fr. S. Jeyaseelan, and General Bursar Fr. Augustine Mangatt.