The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (also known as DeSales Oblates) were founded in Troyes (France) in 1875 after Sr. Mary de Sales Chappuis VHM had been urging Fr. Brisson for over thirty years to do so. Their spiritual foundation is a small book, the SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY. This book had been given by St. Francis de Sales to the Visitation Sisters, which he founded together with St. Jane de Chantal in 1610. Later Fr. Brisson adapted this book for his Congregation of men, the OSFS.

Today the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales continue our mission of spreading the spiritual tradition of St. Francis de Sales wherever they live and minister. Oblates currently serve the Church in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.  In answering the call of Jesus, we Oblates have something unique and original to contribute, the rich heritage of the spirituality of our model and patron, St. Francis de Sales. His is a spirituality characterized by the virtues of gentleness and humility, optimism and hope. It is a spirituality that is practical, adaptable to all walks of life, compatible with almost every religious tradition, and marked by its inspired common sense. Above all, Francis inspires us to a fervent love of God and neighbor, and leads each one in his individual search for holiness. Our unique way to embody his spirituality and to “Live Jesus” is the Spiritual Directory which traces to our origins as a Congregation, and was considered essential to our identity as Oblates by our Founder Blessed Louis Brisson and Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis.

OUR COMMITMENT: First, we commit ourselves to living and sharing with others the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, especially through the practice of the Spiritual Directory. Further, we commit ourselves to living the baptismal call by embracing the vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. We live a simple life together in community characterized by prayer and by the struggle to establish God’s kingdom in this world. Finally, our Indian context is particularly marked by its religious pluralism, economic contradictions and environmental concerns. It follows that one aspect of our ministry is to promote Justice, harmony, peace, equality and to address environmental concerns. As well, we engage in a respectful dialogue with people of different Christian Churches, religious traditions and secular ideologies. We seek to find common ground with them and where possible, share in solidarity with them a commitment to justice, peace, the integrity of creation, and the search for God. With these commitments in mind and remembering St. Francis de Sales’ call to his mission to the Chablais as a young priest and attentive to “the signs of the times,” we make ourselves available for whatever specific apostolate will serve the particular needs of the local Churches in which we find ourselves.

CRI - Bringing Together Religious Communities Across India for a Shared Mission.