St. Francis de Sales (SFS) is a saint of the Catholic Church. He was a Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He is the patron Saint of the Congregation of Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. The Fransalian School of Excellence is run by the MSFS fathers of Nagpur Province.

St. Francis de Sales was born to a noble family at Chateau de Sales in the Kingdom of Savoy near Geneva, Switzerland on August 21, 1567.

Francis was both intelligent and gentle. From a very early age, he desired to serve God. He knew for years he had a vocation to the priesthood, but kept it from his family. His father wanted him to enter a career in law and politics. In 1580, Francis attended the University of Paris, and at 24-years-old, he received his doctorate in law at the University of Padua.

All the time, he never lost his passion for God. He studied theology and practiced mental prayers, but kept quiet about his devotion. To please his father, he also studied fencing and riding.

God made his will clear to Francis one day while he was riding. Francis fell from his horse three times that day. Every time he fell, the sword came out of the scabbard, and every time it came out, the sword and scabbard came to rest on the ground in the shape of the Christian cross.

Francis was ordained to the priesthood and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, in 1593. In 1602, Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva, although he continued to reside in Annecy. In 1604, Francis took one of the most important steps in his life -- the step toward extraordinary holiness and mystical union with God. In 1610, he founded The Order of Visitation.

He died on December 28, 1622, after giving his last word of advice: "Humility."

St. Francis de Sales was beatified on January 8, 1661 and canonized on April 19, 1665 by Pope Alexander VII.

He was a dynamic pastor, about a dozen missionary congregations hail the name of this spiritual genius by following his principles and practicing his virtues of patience, gentleness courage, spirit of poverty, self sacrifice etc.. He is the patron saint of Fransalian School of Excellence.

“Be what you are be at its best”, SFS