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Also known as Frances de
Sales Aviat; Francesca Salesia Aviat; Francisca Salesia Aviat; Francisca
Salesia; God's Little Instrument; Leonia Aviat; Leonie Aviat; Léonie
Françoise de Sales Aviat; Mother Francoise
Memorial 11 January
Profile
Daughter of Theodore Aviat, a shopkeeper, and Emilie Caillot. Baptized 17
September 1844; Confirmed on 2 July 1856. Educated at the Visitation
School in Troyes from age eleven to sixteen. With Father Louis Brisson,
she founded the Sister Oblates of Saint Francis of Sales in Troyes,
France, dedicated to helping young women who poured into the cities during
the Industrial Revolution. She took the Salesian Rule for the
congregation. She entered religious life on 11 April 1866, took the veil
on 30 October 1868, taking the name Sister Frances de Sales, and made her
final vows on 11 October 1871. Superior of the Institute in 1872. Opened
homes and schools for working class girls. Exiled from France on 11 April
1904 due to religious persecution and anti-religious legislation. She
rebuilt her congregation from Perugia, Italy, and the Order was approved
by Pope Saint Pius X in 1911. Her Cause for canonization was introduced on
9 April 1957, and she was declared Venerable on 1 December 1978 by Pope
John Paul II.
Born
16 September 1844 at Sezanne, France as Leonia Aviat
Died
10 January 1914 at Perugia, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
27 September 1992 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized
25 November 2001 by Pope John Paul II; her canonization miracle involved
the healing of a 14 year old Philadelphia girl's
Readings
[She] dedicated her life to educating young working women. Union with the
redemptive sacrifice of Christ by the daily practice of self denial was
Mother Francois's central orientation throughout her life. Her sole desire
to be, as she said, 'God's little instrument.'"
-Pope John Paul II in the beatification ceremony for Saint Francisca
May my love unceasingly offer
something to my Divine Jesus.
- Saint Frances
Let us establish a permanent
Spring season in our heart through ‘yes’ often repeated to all of God’s
permissions and wills.
- Saint Frances
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