Lifelong Discipleship

More about the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

1. Founding Vision
Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS and Ven. Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis, VHM, founded the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales to save souls, reprint the Gospel, and bring Salesian spirituality out of monasteries and into everyday life—parishes, schools, youth, families, and ordinary Christians striving for holiness.

St. Francis de Sales’ core conviction shaped the community: Holiness is possible for everyone, in every state of life, through ordinary fidelity, gentleness, and love.

The name—Oblates—means “those offered”, expressing a spirituality of humble self-gift rather than elite or heroic asceticism.

2. Salesian Spirituality (At the Heart)
The Oblates live and preach the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, marked by:
• Gentleness and patience (“You catch more flies with a spoonful of honey…”)
• Optimism about grace (God is always at work in the soul)
• Holiness in daily life, not escape from the world
• Respect for human freedom
• Devotion rooted in love, not fear or rigorism
A favorite Salesian phrase sums it up: “Everything through love, nothing through force.”
Salesian spirituality is especially effective in pastoral ministry, education, spiritual direction, and evangelization.

3. Apostolates and Ministries
Around the world, Oblates serve in:
• Parishes and parish clusters
• Catholic schools and universities
• Retreat centers and spiritual direction
• Youth and young-adult ministry
• Chaplaincies (hospital, deaf ministry, campus, religious communities)
• Formation of laity in Salesian spirituality

In the United States, Oblates have been especially known for:
• Education
• Retreat and renewal ministry
• Youth evangelization and mentoring
• Gentle, relational pastoral leadership

4. Community Life
Oblates live fraternal community life, balancing:
• Common prayer
• Shared meals and recreation
• Pastoral ministry
• Ongoing formation
Community life is intentionally human, approachable, and joyful, reflecting Salesian realism about human weakness and growth.

5. Global Presence
The Oblates serve on multiple continents, including:
• Europe
• North America
• Latin America
• Africa
• Asia
The Superior General lives in Rome.

6. Motto and Identity
A phrase often associated with the Oblates is: “Live Jesus!” (Vive Jésus!)
This is not a slogan but a program of life—allowing Christ to live and act in one’s daily relationships, decisions, and ministry.

7. Why the Oblates Matter Today
In an increasingly post-Christendom, apostolic era, the Oblates’ strengths are especially relevant:
• Evangelization through relationships, not pressure
• Formation that respects different paths of conversion
• A spirituality accessible to youth, families, and the laity
• A hopeful Catholic witness in a wounded world

Salesian spirituality excels at awakening faith, deepening relationship, and accompanying conversion—precisely the needs of the Church today.
• Evangelize without coercion
• Teach doctrine without harshness
• Form disciples without uniformity
• Remain joyful and humane in ministry

How are Oblates different from other Orders and Congregations?

1. What Makes the Oblates Distinctive?
While youth and young adult education, evangelization, and spiritual direction/mentoring have been major Oblate apostolates in the USA, we often describe our distinctive character as a way of loving, leading, and forming souls—Salesian spirituality applied to our ministries.

2. Comparison by Charism

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
• Charism: Salesian gentleness, optimism, and holiness in ordinary life
• Method: Relationship, patience, accompaniment
• Spiritual Tone: Warm, Salesian, hopeful
• Focus: Awakening faith, deepening relationship, accompanying conversion
• Strength: Meeting people where they are and walking with them

Jesuits (Society of Jesus)
• Charism: Discernment, mission to frontiers, intellectual rigor
• Method: Strategic apostolates, strong central governance
• Tone: Demanding, mission-driven
• Strength: Education, spiritual friendship, global missions
• Key Difference: Jesuits emphasize discernment for mission; Oblates emphasize gentleness in growth

Dominicans (Order of Preachers)
• Charism: Truth, preaching, theology
• Method: Study → preach → teach
• Tone: Intellectual clarity
• Strength: Apologetics, doctrine, university ministry
• Key Difference: Dominicans convert minds; Oblates accompany hearts

Franciscans
• Charism: Poverty, simplicity, solidarity with the poor
• Method: Witness of life
• Tone: Prophetic, counter-cultural
• Strength: Social justice, simplicity, closeness to the marginalized
• Key Difference: Franciscans emphasize radical poverty; Oblates emphasize interior devotion in ordinary life

Benedictines
• Charism: Stability, prayer, monastic life
• Method: Ora et labora
• Tone: Contemplative, rooted
• Strength: Liturgy, hospitality, monastic witness
• Key Difference: Benedictines form by place and rhythm; Oblates form by relationship and guidance

Redemptorists
• Charism: Preaching to the abandoned
• Method: Parish missions and retreats
• Tone: Urgent, missionary
• Strength: Renewal preaching
• Key Difference: Redemptorists focus on conversion moments; Oblates focus on conversion journeys

3. The Salesian Difference
How holiness is understood creates another distinctive aspect:
Many communities emphasize:
• Rule
• Asceticism
• Heroic virtue
• Radical lifestyle
Salesian spirituality emphasizes:
• Love over rigor
• Patience over pressure
• Growth over perfection
• Trust in grace over fear of failure
St. Francis de Sales famously insisted: “Devotion must be adapted to the strength, engagements, and duties of each person.” That insight quietly reshaped modern Catholic spirituality.

4. Why This Matters Today
In a post-Christendom, apostolic era, many people:
• Are spiritually curious but wounded
• Distrust authority but long for meaning
• Need accompaniment more than instruction
The Oblates are particularly effective because they:
• Evangelize without coercion
• Teach doctrine without harshness
• Remain joyful and optimistic in ministry