Life of SFS in Pictures

Language in visuals and pictures is irresistible. It speaks what words cannot. This Pictorial Biography of SFS is published in preparation of 175 years of the Founding of the MSFS Congregation in 1838, and it is published mainly for the use of our students in the schools run by the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales, to familiarize themselves with his life, works and virtues. Fransalians run over one hundred schools in India, Africa and Europe and almost 100,000 children are students of these schools. Most of these schools of the Fransalians are named after Saint Francis de Sales, their patron and model from whom they draw inspiration and strength.

Imagery was a powerful tool that SFS used to communicate profound spiritual truths. Therefore, a Pictorial Biographical Sketch is a fitting addition to a host of publications on St Francis de Sales. It will whet our appetite to read more on SFS.

It is the desire and endeavour of the Fransalian Education Forum (FEF-R) which conceived the idea of printing and instrumental in the publishing this book that every student and stake holder of our educational institutions learn and come to know about the life of Saint Francis de Sales, who is known as the gentleman saint who lived in the sixteenth century. This great saint is known for his virtues such as gentleness, humility, simplicity, patience etc.

Saint Francis de Sales is a saint for our times and relevant for the modem society. For him knowledge was the eighth sacrament. He was a philosopher, writer and a spiritual gum who guided and led people to God and told us to love every human being. This booklet will help the readers to follow his simplicity and imitate the virtues which Saint Francis dc Sales preached and practiced, and he invites us to do the same.