In 1737, Pope Clement XII. canonized, with the usual ceremonies, the missionary, John Francis Regis, a priest of the Society of Jesus, celebrated through the whole of France on account of the holiness of his life and the many wonders he wrought.

He was born of noble parents, January 31, 1597, in a village in the diocese of Narbonne, and already in childhood, gave such proofs of piety that the conclusion might be naturally drawn that he was destined to become a great saint. He took no pleasure except in praying, studying, visiting the churches and reading books of devotion. He lived in an angelical retirement, carefully avoiding all occasions of sin; one proof of this is that during his whole life he never said the least word that was not the exact truth. While he was yet studying in the lower classes in a college of the Society of Jesus, he fled the companionship of all those who seemed in the least degree frivolous, and made an alliance with six of his classmates, who appeared to him more inclined to piety than the others, to the end that they would pray and study at appointed times, read a devout book during meals, never say anything that was not strictly honest or useful, daily make an examination of conscience, frequently receive the Holy Communion, hear the word of God on Sundays and holy-days; seldom leave the house and never without need, and shun all opportunities which might lead them to do wrong. These rules, which Francis, then still very young, had prescribed, he himself observed most punctually, and hence he was greatly esteemed by everybody.

In 1616 he entered, at Toulouse, into the Society of Jesus, to which he believed he had a vocation. The two years of his noviciate he spent in such a manner, that no one could find anything in him to blame. On the contrary, he might have served as a model to all of spiritual perfection. Afterwards, when he was sent to Tours to study the higher branches, his fervent zeal for the salvation of others became at once visible; for on Sundays and holy-days, he accompanied the priests, who taught the ignorant in the villages, and was of great service to them.

Still more apparent became his zeal when he was employed in teaching children in the lower classes. By his devout conversations and fatherly admonitions, but still more by the influence of his own example, his ascendancy over them became so great, that they were easily distinguished from the rest by their piety and retirement. When he was ordained priest, his pious zeal knew no bounds. His first opportunity to give a proof of it occurred at Toulouse, which city was, in 1630, ravaged by a terrible plague. At his own request, Francis received the permission of his superiors to nurse those who were stricken down by the dreadful malady, and was most kind and tender in his treatment of them. The same he did in 1640 at Montfaucon. Francis desired to devote his life to so noble a work, but divine Providence preserved him among daily dangers for the salvation of many thousand souls. The ten years which followed from his ordination to his death, he spent mostly in missionary work.

It was his wish to cross the ocean and preach the Gospel to the savages in Canada; but as his superiors did not consent to this, he made Europe the field of his labor to save souls for heaven. All Languedoc, especially the diocese of Viviers and the Velay, were assigned to him, where he did perhaps more than he could have hoped to do among the savages. In the summer time, he occupied himself in the cities, by preaching and instructing, by hearing confessions and visiting the hospitals and prisons, by collecting alms for the poor, especially for the sick whom he served day and night, and with other similar works of charity. The winter he spent in the villages in apostolic missions. He suffered indescribable dangers and hardships not only on account of the many and high mountains, but also from the extreme cold, the rain, snow and other inconveniences of the weather. Often he was seen crawling, rather than walking, over mountains covered with ice and snow, where almost every step endangered his life. At the places where he gave his missions he permitted himself but very little rest. He preached daily at least once, but more frequently twice or three times. More than once he was so exhausted, that he had to be carried home from the pulpit or the confessional. He was occupied in hearing confessions not only during the day, but also many hours during the night. Not until evening did he partake of any refreshment, and often when the number of those around the confessional was very great, he went without any earthly sustenance. He always took so little food that it was hardly enough to sustain life, and he never tasted wine or delicate viands. The bread which he had begged was his principal nourishment. Two or three hours was all the time he allowed himself for rest at night, and this on the bare ground or on a board. He constantly wore a sharp-pointed chain, and pitilessly scourged himself every night.

Such holiness, such entire self-abnegation, procured for the zealous missionary so great a reputation, that he went by no other name than that of "The saint." The conversions of hardened heretics and despairing sinners effected by his sermons, were numberless. The bishops themselves testified, that, in the cities and villages where St. Francis held his missions, the conduct of the inhabitants had entirely changed. A certain vicar-general wrote about him as follows: "I have always looked upon him as an angel, on account of the innocent life he led, and I have honored him as a perfect model of virtue, and on account of his fervent zeal, a worthy brother and follower of St. Francis Xavier. I regarded him as a father of the poor, in consideration of his great love for them; and as a Saint on account of his virtues. He not only was, but still is, esteemed as a Saint by the inhabitants of the city of Puy, and is even considered an apostle, because, both by his example, his sermons, his exhortations and his instructions, he led them to a better life, and, so to speak, made the whole city holy."

For ten years this man of God continued his missionary labors in the same manner. Near the end of his earthly career, he intended to hold a mission at La Louvesc, a small village, situated between high mountains in the diocese of Vienne. But God revealed to him his approaching last hour; hence he went first to the College at Puy, made a general confession, and then repaired to La Louvesc on the 22d of December in the year 1640. Before he left the college, he was asked if he would not be there on New Year's day, at the usual ceremony of renewing the vows. " My companion will be here, but not I,'' was his answer. And so it happened. The road to La Louvesc was over steep mountains, covered with snow and ice, and was indescribably difficult to travel. As the cold was exceedingly severe, the Saint was soon exhausted with fatigue and covered with perspiration from his exertions. Overtaken by the night, he was unable to reach La Louvesc and was obliged to remain in an old hut, open on all sides, where he was seized with pleurisy and subsequently with a burning fever. Exerting all his strength, he arrived the following day at La Louvesc. Seeing the crowd of people waiting for him, he ascended the pulpit and commenced his mission with a fervent sermon. The following day and night he spent in hearing confessions; and this might well be regarded as a miracle, considering the state of his health. On Christmas-day and on the festival of St. Stephen he preached three times, and again returned to the confessional, when suddenly he swooned away and had to be carried into the priest's house. No sooner had he somewhat recovered, than he again heard the confessions of several persons, after which, with deep inward peace, he received Extreme Unction. On the last day of the year he fell into ecstasy while praying, and when he awoke from it he exclaimed in a transport of joy to his companion: "O! dear ! how happy I am to die! Oh! how glad I am to depart! I see Jesus and Mary who come to accompany me into the home of the Elect." After this, he turned his eyes towards heaven and said: "Jesus Christ! My Redeemer! To Thee I commend my soul; into Thy hands I resign myself;" with these words he ended his apostolic life in his 43d year.

An incredible number of people were present at his burial, and deplored his death with many tears. Countless are the miracles with which God immediately honored him at his grave. Twenty-two Archbishops and bishops wrote, in 1704, to the Pope, that they themselves had witnessed miracles which had been wrought at the grave of this faithful servant of God, on the blind, the deaf, the lame, and on persons afflicted with other ills. It is also known that he seldom held a mission, anywhere without working miracles. The greatest miracle was himself, as it was naturally impossible that, with so much rigor towards his body, with so many and such wearisome journeys, and such incessant labor, he should live so long. The mighty hand of the Lord alone upheld him.

I have not yet related anything of the heroic virtues of this Saint, which alone would fill a book. In today's prayer of the Church two are particularly mentioned before all others: his great charity and his invincible patience. Yes, his heart burned with love towards God and men. His love to God he evinced by avoiding even the smallest sin, and by his constant endeavor to prevent others from going astray. He evinced it further by fervent prayers, which he sometimes continued through the greater part of the night or through the whole of it, and during which he was often transported out of himself, so intense was his desire to suffer and die for Christ's sake. His love to his neighbor he manifested by spiritual and corporal works of mercy, on account of which he received the beautiful name of " Father of the Poor." And in truth, he was a most kind and tender father to them.

The Almighty rewarded this love and solicitude with striking miracles. Thus we read that the corn which the good father had begged for the poor was often miraculously multiplied. In regard to the patience of this true servant of God, it may be said that nothing could be more perfect; it was invincible. Among his other deeds of Christian charity, his endeavor to turn wicked women from the path of eternal ruin and lead them to repentance, deserve specially to be mentioned. Who, however, can describe the persecution, the obloquy and wrong he suffered on account of it? One man whom the Saint had thus deprived of his sinful gratification, gave him a blow in the face. The Saint offered him his other cheek, and said he was willing to suffer death, if he were permitted to prevent offences against God. Another thrust him, in the dark, into a pool of mire and stepped upon him. Some others plotted together and beat him almost to death; while some pointed their daggers to his breast and threatened to kill him if he abstained not from his intentions.

But the Saint was always fearless; he disregarded these threats and was not to be deterred from finishing a work which he had commenced to the honor of God and for the salvation of souls. He complained to no one of the wrong done him by these godless people; nay, once, when the authorities were about to punish one of them, he interceded for him and thus averted his well-merited punishment. Many other examples of patience, meekness, humility, obedience, and other virtues are to be found in the circumstantial life of the Saint, but which we, on account of our limited space, are obliged to omit.

Great was the love which inflamed the heart of St. Francis, as well towards God as towards his neighbor. He proved his love to God by avoiding even the least sin, and by his unwearied zeal to prevent others from doing evil. His love to men he manifested by the practice of deeds of corporal and spiritual mercy. Should I ask you whether you love God and your neighbor, you would of course answer: "Yes." But how do you manifest your love in deeds? You often have opportunities of doing good to the soul and body of your neighbor, and thus to manifest your love to him, in the practice of divers acts of charity. If you omit these, the love which is only upon your lips will not avail you. "If a brother or sister be naked and want daily food; and one of you say to them: go in peace, be you warmed and filled, yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit?" (James, ii.) Hence, prove your love towards your neighbor by spiritual and corporal works of charity. . . How do you manifest your love to God? The best way is to keep His commandments, and not only to avoid sin yourself, as an offence to the majesty of the Almighty, but also to prevent others from committing it. "If you love me, keep my commandments," says the Lord. (John, xiv.) " You that love the Lord, hate evil," says David. (Psalm xcvi.) " We love God rightly when we keep His commandments," writes St. Ambrose. "Sin is unknown to him who loves Thee, O God," are the words of St. Cyprian. St. Augustine writes: " He who loves God, does not offend Him. If you love God, draw others also to Him." "Whoever loves God seeks to prevent others from offending Him, and if this is impossible, almost dies with anguish, like him who says: "I beheld the transgressors and I pined away" (Psalm cxviii.). Thus speaks St. Francis de Sales.

Invincible was the patience of St. Francis, and neither the cares, labors, nor annoyances of his functions, nor the many afflictions, wrongs and persecutions which he had to endure, forced an impatient word to escape his lips, or restrained him in his apostolic zeal. He never was heard to utter a word of complaint against his persecutors, but prayed for them. He revealed to no one the wrong he suffered, but laid it at the feet of the crucified Lord, whose image he carried almost constantly in his hand or upon his breast. What is your conduct when you have to suffer, or are annoyed in the station you occupy in life? Why do you so quickly lose all patience? Why do you break out into invectives against your enemies, nay, even sometimes against the Almighty Himself? You surely desire to go to heaven, and to the heaven which the Saints entered by patience in crosses and afflictions. But do you wish to enter it without suffering, without persecution, without sorrow? Is that reasonable? Christ Himself chose the way of the cross, as the surest path which leads to heaven. Shall He assign to you a particular road, strewn with roses, and smoothed for your comfort? We have to suffer, and to suffer patiently, if we would gain heaven. "Through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God" (Acts xiv.). These tribulations we must suffer with patience. If you suffer them impatiently, what benefit do you derive from them ? " Willing or unwilling, you have to suffer," says St. Chrysostom. If you are willing to bear your cross, you will gain much, but if you are unwilling, the burden will not become less, but your very impatience will help to increase its weight. As you thus see that suffering is the lot of man, consent to suffer : in other words, make a virtue of necessity, and suffer patiently.

My Queen and my Mother! to thee I offer myself without any reserve: and to give thee a mark of my devotion, I consecrate to thee during this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, and my whole person: Since I belong to thee, O my good Mother! preserve and defend me as thy property and possession. Amen.

O Domina mea! O Mater mea! memento me esse tuum. Serva me, defende me ut rem et possessionem tuam. Ave Maria.

My Queen and my Mother! remember that I belong to thee: keep me, guard me as thy property and possession. Amen. Hail Mary.

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.


Holy Mary conceived without sin,
Pray for us. *

Saint John Francis Regis,*
St. Regis fervent adorer of the Holy Eucharist,*
St. Regis zealous servant of Mary,*
St. Regis worthy son of Saint Ignatius,*
St. Regis faithful imitator of Saint Francis Xaxier,*
St. Regis burning with love for God,*
St. Regis victim of Christian charity,*
St. Regis perfect model of every virtue,*
St. Regis faithful observer of the religious life,*
St. Regis protector of innocence,*
St. Regis ingenious in converting sinners,*
St. Regis who braved many dangers for the salvation of souls,*
St. Regis ministering angels of our families,*
St. Regis honor and glory of the Society of Jesus,*
St. Regis most zealous for the glory of God,*
St. Regis illustrious for many miracles,*
St. Regis powerful intercessor with God,*
St. Regis our model,*
St. Regis our protector and father,*


Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us


V. Pray for us, blessed Francis Regis:
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

O God, Who, to the end that he might without faltering go through much toilsome work for the salvation of souls, didst endue blessed Francis, Thy confessor, with wonderful charity and with unconquerable patience: grant unto us, we beseech Thee, so to profit by the example he has left us, and so to avail ourselves of his prayers, that we may win the exceeding reward of everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son. R. Amen.