Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales were founded in 1876 by Blessed Louis Brisson at the encouragement of Sister Mary de Sales Chappuis.

From its founding in France, the order expanded to Holland, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1800s. The word Oblate means “offering” and each individual Oblate dedicates himself to serving God by imitating the life and virtues of St. Francis de Sales.  The Oblates do this primarily through the practice of the Spiritual Directory, a small book that contains St. Francis de Sales’ teachings on how to remain in God’s presence throughout the day even in the midst of one’s daily activities.

The Oblates are involved in three primary ministries: education of youth; pastoral ministry; and the foreign missions in various countries throughout the world.

Toledo became home to the Oblates in 1943 when seven Oblates accepted faculty positions at Central Catholic High School.

With significant overcrowding at Central Catholic, Bishop George Rehring expressed interest in providing an all-boys high school for the community. No all-boys Catholic school existed in Toledo after the Jesuits closed the old St. John’s during the Great Depression in 1936.

There were already two all-girl Catholic high school options available (Notre Dame and St. Ursula), with a third on the way (McAuley). Bishop Rehring asked the Oblates if they would be willing to take on this challenge. The Oblates agreed to build, maintain, and staff the school. St. Francis de Sales High School opened its doors to 290 freshman and sophomore students on September 14, 1955.

The Oblate presence remains strong at St. Francis de Sales School. Presently, there are seven Oblates on the faculty and staff, the largest community of vowed religious working at any Northwest Ohio school. We are humbled by their passion and dedication to St. Francis and the teachings of our patron saint.

The ministry of the Oblates of St Francis de Sales permeates all facets of the community and beyond. In addition to ministering at SFS the Oblates are found all throughout our local community. You will frequently find Oblates celebrating Mass at Gesu and St. Pius X as well as assisting in other parishes throughout the Diocese of Toledo. Oblates officiate weddings and baptisms, run Catholic Youth Camp at Camp DeSales, assist at the YES Project and perform a wide range of ministries including, but not limited to, deaf ministry, Hispanic and migrant ministry, and prison ministry .

The person who celebrates our family's most important moments with us.

david schlachter '27