Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Encyclopedia
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (Latin
: Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii, O.S.F.S.) are a congregation of Roman Catholic priests and brothers who base their spirituality on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. (The Oblate priests and brothers of St. Francis de Sales are affiliated with the Oblate sisters of St. Francis de Sales.)
(died 7 October 1875) and Abbé Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson, a professor in the Seminary of Troyes
. In 1869 Father Brisson began Saint Bernard's College, near Troyes. In September, 1871, Father Gilbert (died 10 November 1909) joined him and Emmanuel-Jules Ravinet, Bishop of Troyes, received them and four companions into the novitiate.
The Holy See approved temporarily their constitutions, 21 December 1875. The first vows were made 27 August 1876. The definitive approbation of their constitution was given on 8 December 1897.
Known officially as the DeSales-Oblates, the members of the institute are of two ranks, clerics and lay-brothers. They serve the Catholic Church around the world as teachers, parish priests, chaplains, missionaries, and more. The postulate lasts from six to nine months; the novitiate from one year to eighteen months. For the first three years following first vows, the DeSales Oblates renew their vows annually for three years, and then, after that, they take their perpetual vows. The institute is governed by a superior general
elected every six years; and five counsellors general elected by general chapter.
Among the 10 provinces of the DeSales-Oblates worldwide, there are two provinces in the United States. The DeSales Oblates first came to the United States in 1893.
The congregation gradually developed in France. It numbered seven colleges and five other educational houses when the Government closed them all, 31 July 1903. The founder retired to Plancy where he died 2 February 1908. The Generalate was transferred to Rome, and the congregation divided into three provinces, by language family: Latin (France, Belgium, Italy, Greece, and South America), German(ic) (Austria, the German Empire and the southern half of its South-west African colony), and English (England, United States and the north-western part of Cape Colony). Each province is administered by a provincial superior
, appointed by the superior general and his council for four years. He is assisted by three counsellors elected at each provincial chapter, which meets every four years, at an interval of six years between the regular general chapters.
In the early 20th century they had the following membership.
The Latin province has a scholasticate at Albano Laziale
. In 1909 the church of Sts. Celsus and Julian in Rome was given to the Oblates. The novitiate for the Latin and German provinces is in Giove (Umbria). The Ecole Commerciale Ste Croix in Naxos (Greece) had about fifty pupils and the College St. Paul at Piræus (Athens) about two hundred. Four Fathers, stationed in Montevideo
(Uruguay) did mission work, running a flourishing Young Men's Association; in Brazil, three Fathers had the district of Don Pedrito do Sul, with a surface of 28,000 m² and a Catholic population of 20,000; the headquarters of the Uruguay-Brazil mission being at Montevideo, Uruguay. One Oblate was stationed in Ecuador
, where before the Revolution of 1897 the congregation had charge of the diocesan seminary of Riobamba
, several colleges and parishes. In 1909 a school for the congregation was opened at Dampicourt, Belgium.
The German(ic) province had a preparatory school of about forty students in Schmiding (Upper Austria) and charge of St. Anne's (French) church in Vienna
, also the church of Our Lady of Dolours in Kaasgraben, Vienna, which is served by six Oblates. At Artstetten, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand gave them charge of the parish in 1907 and assisted them to build a school. With the consent of the German Government, Cardinal Fischer gave them the church of Marienburg
in 1910. Several Fathers were engaged in mission work. The English province founded its novitiate in Wilmington, Delaware
, 23 September 1903 and transferred it to Childs, Maryland
(1907) with a scholasticate attached. The Fathers in Wilmington conducted a high school for boys now known as Salesianum School and were chaplains of several religious communities, the county alms-house, the state psychiatric hospital, the Ferris Industrial School for boys and the county and state prison. In 1910 the parish of St. Francis de Sales at Salisbury, Maryland
, 1209 square miles (3,131.3 km²) with a population of 70,000, was confided to the Oblates.
In Walmer (Kent, England) they had a boarding school
for boys, the chaplaincy of the Visitation Convent and Academy of Roselands and a small parish in Faversham
. To this province belonged the Vicariate Apostolic of the Orange River.
Nativity Prep Website
Fr. Judge Website
Salesianum Website
North Catholic Website
Bishop Verot Website
Bishop Ireton Website
St. Francis Website
Lumen Christi Website
Judge Memorial Website
St. Mary's High School Website
DSU Website
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii, O.S.F.S.) are a congregation of Roman Catholic priests and brothers who base their spirituality on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. (The Oblate priests and brothers of St. Francis de Sales are affiliated with the Oblate sisters of St. Francis de Sales.)
History
It was a congregation of sisters founded originally by Saint Francis de Sales at the request of Saint Jane de Chantal. The establishment of an Oratory at Thonon, where Saint Francis served as the first Provost, was a preparatory step toward carrying out his design, the accomplishment of which was prevented by his death. With Saint Jane Frances de Chantal's encouragement and assistance, Raymond Bonal of Adge, in France, carried out his plan but this congregation died out at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Two hundred years later it was revived by Ven. Mother Marie de Sales ChappuisMarie de Sales Chappuis
Venerable Marie de Sales Chappuis was a French Catholic Salesian, a leader in the...
(died 7 October 1875) and Abbé Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson, a professor in the Seminary of Troyes
Troyes
Troyes is a commune and the capital of the Aube department in north-central France. It is located on the Seine river about southeast of Paris. Many half-timbered houses survive in the old town...
. In 1869 Father Brisson began Saint Bernard's College, near Troyes. In September, 1871, Father Gilbert (died 10 November 1909) joined him and Emmanuel-Jules Ravinet, Bishop of Troyes, received them and four companions into the novitiate.
The Holy See approved temporarily their constitutions, 21 December 1875. The first vows were made 27 August 1876. The definitive approbation of their constitution was given on 8 December 1897.
Known officially as the DeSales-Oblates, the members of the institute are of two ranks, clerics and lay-brothers. They serve the Catholic Church around the world as teachers, parish priests, chaplains, missionaries, and more. The postulate lasts from six to nine months; the novitiate from one year to eighteen months. For the first three years following first vows, the DeSales Oblates renew their vows annually for three years, and then, after that, they take their perpetual vows. The institute is governed by a superior general
Superior general
A Superior General, or General Superior, is the Superior at the head of a whole religious order or congregation.The term is mainly used as a generic term, while many orders and congregations use other specific titles, notably:* Abbot general...
elected every six years; and five counsellors general elected by general chapter.
Among the 10 provinces of the DeSales-Oblates worldwide, there are two provinces in the United States. The DeSales Oblates first came to the United States in 1893.
The congregation gradually developed in France. It numbered seven colleges and five other educational houses when the Government closed them all, 31 July 1903. The founder retired to Plancy where he died 2 February 1908. The Generalate was transferred to Rome, and the congregation divided into three provinces, by language family: Latin (France, Belgium, Italy, Greece, and South America), German(ic) (Austria, the German Empire and the southern half of its South-west African colony), and English (England, United States and the north-western part of Cape Colony). Each province is administered by a provincial superior
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
, appointed by the superior general and his council for four years. He is assisted by three counsellors elected at each provincial chapter, which meets every four years, at an interval of six years between the regular general chapters.
In the early 20th century they had the following membership.
The Latin province has a scholasticate at Albano Laziale
Albano Laziale
Albano Laziale is a comune in the province of Rome, on the Alban Hills, in Latium, central Italy. It is also a suburb of Rome, which is 25 km distant. It is bounded by other communes of Castel Gandolfo, Rocca di Papa, Ariccia and Ardea. Located in the Castelli Romani area of Lazio...
. In 1909 the church of Sts. Celsus and Julian in Rome was given to the Oblates. The novitiate for the Latin and German provinces is in Giove (Umbria). The Ecole Commerciale Ste Croix in Naxos (Greece) had about fifty pupils and the College St. Paul at Piræus (Athens) about two hundred. Four Fathers, stationed in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
(Uruguay) did mission work, running a flourishing Young Men's Association; in Brazil, three Fathers had the district of Don Pedrito do Sul, with a surface of 28,000 m² and a Catholic population of 20,000; the headquarters of the Uruguay-Brazil mission being at Montevideo, Uruguay. One Oblate was stationed in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, where before the Revolution of 1897 the congregation had charge of the diocesan seminary of Riobamba
Riobamba
Riobamba is the capital of the Chimborazo Province in central Ecuador, which is located at the Chambo River Valley of the Andes. It is south of Ecuador's capital Quito and located at 2754 m on the Avenue of the Volcanoes...
, several colleges and parishes. In 1909 a school for the congregation was opened at Dampicourt, Belgium.
The German(ic) province had a preparatory school of about forty students in Schmiding (Upper Austria) and charge of St. Anne's (French) church in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, also the church of Our Lady of Dolours in Kaasgraben, Vienna, which is served by six Oblates. At Artstetten, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand gave them charge of the parish in 1907 and assisted them to build a school. With the consent of the German Government, Cardinal Fischer gave them the church of Marienburg
Marienburg
-The historical German names of these places:*Ordensburg Marienburg , the large brick castle built by the Teutonic Knights**Malbork, Poland, site of the Ordensburg Marienburg, formerly Marienburg in Westpreußen and during World War II, Nazi Stalag XX-B for enlisted men*Alūksne, Latvia*Feldioara,...
in 1910. Several Fathers were engaged in mission work. The English province founded its novitiate in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, 23 September 1903 and transferred it to Childs, Maryland
Childs, Maryland
Childs is an unincorporated community in Cecil County, Maryland, United States....
(1907) with a scholasticate attached. The Fathers in Wilmington conducted a high school for boys now known as Salesianum School and were chaplains of several religious communities, the county alms-house, the state psychiatric hospital, the Ferris Industrial School for boys and the county and state prison. In 1910 the parish of St. Francis de Sales at Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury, Maryland
-Demographics:Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury-Ocean Pines CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Salisbury metropolitan area and the Ocean Pines micropolitan area , which had a combined population of 176,657 at the 2010 census.As of the census of 2000, there were...
, 1209 square miles (3,131.3 km²) with a population of 70,000, was confided to the Oblates.
In Walmer (Kent, England) they had a boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for boys, the chaplaincy of the Visitation Convent and Academy of Roselands and a small parish in Faversham
Faversham
Faversham is a market town and civil parish in the Swale borough of Kent, England. The parish of Faversham grew up around an ancient sea port on Faversham Creek and was the birthplace of the explosives industry in England.-History:...
. To this province belonged the Vicariate Apostolic of the Orange River.
Middle Schools – Wilmington/Philadelphia Province
- Nativity Preparatory School of Wilmington
Nativity Prep Website
Secondary Schools – Wilmington/Philadelphia Province
- Father Judge High SchoolFather Judge High SchoolFather Judge High School is a Roman Catholic high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was established in 1954 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is run by the Oblates of St...
Fr. Judge Website
- SalesianumSalesianumSalesianum School is an independent Catholic secondary school for boys, located in Wilmington, Delaware. It is run independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Salesianum was founded in 1903 and is operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales...
Salesianum Website
- Northeast Catholic High SchoolNortheast Catholic High SchoolNortheast Catholic High School opened in 1926 as Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, and is located at 1842 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is under the administration of the high school system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its sports teams...
North Catholic Website
- Bishop Verot High SchoolBishop Verot High SchoolBishop Verot High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Fort Myers, Florida. It is located in the Diocese of Venice, Florida.-History:...
Bishop Verot Website
- Bishop Ireton High SchoolBishop Ireton High SchoolBishop Ireton High School is a Roman Catholic High School located in Alexandria, Virginia. The school was founded in 1964 by the Oblates of St. Francis DeSales, an order of Catholic priests sometimes called Salesians, and originally admitted only male students...
Bishop Ireton Website
Secondary Schools – Toledo/Detroit Province
- St. Francis de Sales High School (Toledo, Ohio)
St. Francis Website
- Lumen Christi Catholic High SchoolLumen Christi Catholic High SchoolLumen Christi Catholic High School is a private Roman Catholic high school located in Summit Township, just outside of Jackson, Michigan, in the United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing, it was established in 1968 from the merger of St. Mary's and St. John's Catholic High...
Lumen Christi Website
- Judge Memorial High School
Judge Memorial Website
- St. Mary's High SchoolSt. Mary's High School (Stockton, California)Saint Mary's High School, founded in 1876, is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory in Stockton, California, USA. The school has long established itself as the premier private secondary school in the San Joaquin County. St...
St. Mary's High School Website
Colleges and Universities – Wilmington/Philadelphia Province
- DeSales UniversityDeSales UniversityDeSales University is a private Catholic university for men and women, located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Before 2001, it was known as Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales.- History :...
DSU Website
Sources and External links
- The Oblate Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
- The Oblate Toledo-Detroit Province
- The Oblate German Province
- The Oblate Austrian-South German Province
- The Oblate Switzerland Community
- The Oblate Netherland Province
- The Oblate South American Region
- The Oblate Monaco Community
- Oblate Mission Asia
- The Oblate Namibia Region