Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales
| Abbreviation | O.S.F.S. |
|---|---|
| Motto | Nec Plus, Nec Minus |
| Formation | 30 October 1868 |
| Type | Roman Catholic religious order |
| Headquarters | Maison-Mère des Soeurs de St. Francis de Sales, (Motherhouse) |
| Location | |
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Key people
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Father Louis Brisson—founder Mother Frances de Sales Aviat—founder |
| Website | Oblate Sisters of St Francis de Sales |
The Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales (Latin: Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii, O.S.F.S.) are a congregation of Roman Catholic Religious Sisters who base their spirituality on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. (The Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales are affiliated with the Oblate Priests and Brothers of St. Francis de Sales)
In nineteenth century, it was not uncommon to find child labor and unfair labor practices in industrialized France. There were many altercations between workers and government, such as the Paris Commune and the Canut Revolts. Maurice Maignen, one of the founders of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul, also found the “Circle of Young Workers", better known as "Catholic Circle of Montparnasse" in 1855. There were very similar Social movements throughout France during this time. Troyes was no exception. This “Industrial Revolution” flocked young country boys and girls to Troyes for work in the factories and textile mills. Many of these young workers were on their own and exposed to the dangers of the city. Father Louis Brisson was concerned about these young workers. In 1858, he began to set up clubs, workshops and houses to help the young girls organising their new lives. Assisting Fr Brisson in the “Oeuvres Ouvrières”, were lay women, such as the young lady, Léonie Aviat, whom he met when she was a boarder at the Convent School of the Visitation.
Léonie seemed to Father Brisson, to possess the spirit of service and the necessary qualities of organization requested for this ambitious project. At 21 years of age, Leonie she took on the direction of the working girls’ apostolate on April 18, 1866. As this apostolate developed, Father Brisson gave it greater stability by founding a female religious congregation, the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales, whose purpose was to help the working girls to keep their dignity and to become women of conscience and faith.
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