St. Francis DeSales Association

The St. Francis DeSales Association is a spiritual family which has been canonically approved by the Catholic Church and is established on four continents. It is based on the spirituality of St. Francis DeSales, Doctor of the Church and patron of writers and journalists. The goal of the Association is to strengthen its members in their response to the universal call to holiness. Associates witness to the Gospel in all states of life: single, married and religious. Their individual apostolates are adapted to the life of each member.

The bond of the Association is spiritual friendship. Members attend group meetings once a month, and there are annual days of recollection and retreats. A two year formation centers on readings and meditations on chosen aspects of the Gospels, The Introduction to the Devout Life, Lumen Gentium, and Christian virtues. It pays particular attention to the ‘little virtues’ that St. Francis DeSales is known for -- patience, simplicity, humility, and gentleness. The two year formation process culminates in a person’s consecration (which does not involve a vow) to continue to live its Rule of Life in the family spirit of the Association embodied in love of God and neighbor.

From its beginning the Association was consecrated  to the Spirit of Jesus. Three married lay women were the original members in 1872. The Association quickly attracted single women and grew rapidly over the next several years. In 1889, a religious group was formed by several ‘Daughters’ who went to India as missionaries. They are the Salesian Sisters of Mary Immaculate. The SMMI have kept the same formation as the lay group and form the religious branch of the Association.

A Fraternity of St. Francis DeSales for lay men parallels the women’s Association. Currently, canonical approbation is being sought for the men’s group. The Fraternity also shares in the same method of formation, Rule of Life and consecration as the women’s Association.

Today there are over 4000 members worldwide. The center is in Paris, France where the St. Francis DeSales Association first began.