Salesian Spirituality
The spirit of St. Francis de Sales is love. We pledge to give the future generations of Toledo men from this school who will be outstanding citizens, Catholics, and Americans...the Oblates will produce generations of loyal sons worthy of St. Francis de Sales."
VERY REV. WILLIAM BUCKLEY, OSFSGroundbreaking Ceremony October 3, 1954
Every school has a mission. Ours is a way of life.
St. Francis de Sales School is rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, whose message remains just as relevant today as it was more than 400 years ago: "Be who you are and be that well in order to bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are."
Salesian education focuses on developing the whole person through mind, body, and spirit. Academic excellence is important, but so are kindness, humility, joy, compassion, and authentic relationships.
Students are known by name. Teachers become mentors. Coaches become role models. Faith is woven into everyday life, not limited to religion class.
Our students are challenged to lead with humility, serve others generously, and recognize the God-given gifts within themselves and those around them.
A Salesian education isn't simply about preparing young men for college. It's about preparing them for life.
Meet the Oblates
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.
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When something is important to you, you give your life to it. Very Rev. Joseph A. Newman, OSFS '03
Oblate Arrival in Toledo
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 eight 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.