Formation
"Whoever we are we can and should aspire to a perfect life" St.Francis de Sales
Father Henri Chaumont, a French Priest with a vision and zeal saw the need for the association for women living in the world and outlined a rule based on the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, the author of the famous book, “Introduction to Devout Life.” On October 15th 1872, Madame Carre de Malberg, Madame Mort and Madame Sallard whom Fr. Chaumont was directing, gathered for the first meeting at Rue Cassette in Paris. This was the humble beginning of the fast expanding Society of DSFS. The first meeting turned out to be a historical event for our spiritual family. On 26th April 1911, The Society of St. Francis de Sales received final approbation from Rome. When Rome established the Pontifical Council for Laity after the second Vatican Council, the lay branch of the Society of St. Francis de Sales joined the Council for Laity under the name of Association St. Francis de Sales and got its Statutes approved on 22nd May 1994. It was called Society of Saint Francis de Sales from then on.
2. To be an apostle in the great work of the Church in their own Diocese and Parish.
Four years after the foundation of the Association in 1876 Father Chaumont started a new branch for the Diocesan priests. In 1887 for lay men, he started the group under the name "Sons of St. Francis de Sales" from this came the 'Couples of St. Francis de Sales'.
The Association started spreading fast to other European Countries as well as to other continents: They are present in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, England, Hungary, Algeria, India, North America, Philadelphia, Bangladesh and Madagascar etc.
May 1968 we have a turning point in the History Association of SFS. The missionary branch of DSFS, SMMI became an Institute of Pontifical Right, an autonomous branch which remains a part of the Association of SFS. It is this 50th year of approbation of Rome that is celebrated all over the world during this year. The two branches remain very much united by a spiritual bond of sharing the same spirituality, same founders, probations and some formation programme in common. Every year the Council for the four branches: SMMI, Daughters, Priests, Sons of SFS meet together to search and deepen our identity and discuss how to live the Gospel in a Salesian way. The SMMI try to form groups of this society in the places where they are (Sons, Daughters, and Couples of SFS) and form the diocesan priests to become the Priests of SFS.
In Salem Province our teachers and some others too aspired to join our Association. More than 80 members have made their Consecration and many are under formation. They are very active and devoted. In the midst of their heavy family schedule, they go to visit the sick in the Government hospital, rendering the material and spiritual help to the poor and needy. Their edifying life witness, win the young hearts. They are well guided by our sisters who aim at forming them to be leaders of their groups. In Salem Province our sisters in the missions of Salem, Attur, Kottapalayam and Dharmapuri form the daughters of SFS and have regular meetings with them. In some communities few more new groups are formed and are followed. We hope and pray that with God’s grace, many more may follow the Gospel through our Association.
