Happy Feast Day of Saint Francis de Sales!

We join with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, as part of the Salesian Family of St. John Bosco, in honoring our mutual Patron Saint! Enjoy reading the Letter of Pope Francis on this gentle yet strong holy man. Dear Friends, The Oblates of St. Francis of de Sales in the United States join with all of our Salesian family in celebrating the feast of our patron, the Gentleman Saint. Celebrating the Feast Day is particularly special this year as we bring to a close our Double Salesian Jubilee Year marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales and the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. The highlight of the Year was Pope Francis issuing an Apostolic Letter on Saint Francis de Sales. In Totum Amoris Est (“Everything Pertains To Love”), the Pope summarizes the spiritual legacy left to us by Saint Francis de Sales. The Letter includes many of Saint Francis’ teachings and reminds us that these are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago. As a friend of the Oblates, you already know the power and impact of Salesian Spirituality. Through your friendship and support, the Oblates have the humble privilege...

Pope Francis’ prayer on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Let us join our Holy Father in his prayer for Peace: Our Immaculate Mother, today the people of Rome gather around you. The flowers, laid at your feet from so many urban realities, express their love and devotion for you who watch over us all. And you also see and welcome those invisible flowers that are so many invocations, so many silent supplications, sometimes stifled, hidden, but not from you, who are Mother. After two years in which I came alone to pay homage to you at the dawning of the day, today I return to you together with the people of this Church and this City. And I bring you the thanks and supplications of all your children, near and far. From Heaven where God has welcomed you, you see earthly things far better than we do; but as Mother you listen to our invocations to present them to your Son, to His Heart full of mercy. First of all I bring you the filial love of countless men and women, not only Christians, who nourish for you the greatest gratitude for your beauty, full of grace and humility: for in the midst of so many dark clouds...

Looking at Don Bosco: Pope Francis’ greeting and the Rector Major’s homily

31 January 2022 Archive Photo (ANS – Turin) – Among the hundreds of thousands of faithful who yesterday morning, January 30, 2022, watched the Rai 1 live TV broadcast of the Mass presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, from Valdocco, there was also Pope Francis. He said it himself, overlooking St. Peter’s Square, immediately after the recitation of the Angelus: “On the eve of the feast day of St. John Bosco, I’d like to greet the Salesians, who do so much good in the Church. I followed the Mass celebrated in the shrine of Mary Help of Christians by the Rector Major, Ángel Fernández Artime; I prayed with him for everyone.” With this particular homage, the Holy Father wished to renew once again his closeness to the whole Salesian Family and his personal devotion to the Saint of Youth. He then added: “Let us think of this great Saint, Father and Teacher of youth. He did not shut himself up in the sacristy, he did not shut himself up in his things. He went out into the streets looking for young people with that creativity that was his hallmark. Best wishes to all Salesians, men and women!” The...

Pope: May we all join in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Vatican News

During the Angelus Pope Francis recalls this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 18 to 25 January and invites everyone to offer up their struggles and suffering in favor of Christian unity. By Vatican News staff writer Pope Francis has invited everyone to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 18 to 25 January, which this year focuses on a theme relating the experience of the Magi, who came from the East to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah King: “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him.”  Pope to close Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with vespers The Pope said that in a similar way, Christians of diverse backgrounds and traditions “are pilgrims on our way to full unity” who come closer to our goal when keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus. The Pope encouraged us to pray for Christian unity and also offer up our struggles and suffering. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has published resource materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity available to all.  Source: Pope: May we all join in Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Vatican...