St. John Francis Regis
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. John Francis Regis. St. John Francis was born on January 31, 1597 into a family who had some wealth. Ever since a young age St. John Francis was very impressed by his Jesuit educators which made him desire to enter the Society of Jesus. Eventually when St. John Francis was 18 he made his desire come true and he entered.
Despite his very difficult and full academic schedule, he would still spend many hours in chapel, many people were actually concerned about his health. After his ordination to the priesthood, St. John Francis felt the calling to take on missionary work in many different French towns. During this time the formal sermons tended toward the poetic, however his discourses were plain. But they were able to reveal the fervor that was within him and it attracted people of all classes. St. John Francis would always make himself available to the poor. Also many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass during his afternoons he would visit prisons and hospitals.
During this time the bishop of Viviers, had spent much time observing the success that St. John Francis had in communicating with people, and he wanted to draw on his many gifts. St. John Francis’ gift were especially needed during the prolonged civil and religious strife then rampant throughout France. During this time many prelates absent and priests negligent, and many people had to experience a long deprivation of the sacraments which lasted for 20 years or more. During this time various forms of Protestantism were thriving while a general indifference toward religion was evident in many other instances. For over three years, St. John Francis had traveled throughout many dioceses, and he would conduct missions in advance of a visit by the bishop. St. John Francis had succeeded greatly in converting many people and in bringing many others back to religious observances.
Even though St. John Francis wanted to work as a missionary among the Native Americans in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most deserted part of his native country which was France. There he was able to encounter rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile during this time he had continued preaching missions and earned a large and great reputation as a saint. Upon entering the town of Saint-Andé, one man came upon a very large crowd in front of a church and it was told that people were waiting for “the saint” who was coming to preach a mission.
During the last four years of his life he spent them preaching and organizing social services, especially for many prisoners, the sick and the poor. During the autumn of the year 1640, St. John Francis had sensed that his days were coming to a sad conclusion. St. John Francis decided to settle some of his affairs and he prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well. St. John Francis would speak to the people about the God who loved them.
On December 31, 1640 St. John Francis spent most of the day with his eyes fixed on the crucifix. That evening, he sadly passed away. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
St. John Francis Regis was canonized in 1737. St. John Francis’ feast day is celebrated on June 16.
Prayer to St. John Francis Regis
St. John Francis intercede that we may be able to strengthen our devotion to The Lord so that we may fully entrust ourselves to him and fulfill his will. St. John Francis intercede that we may do the will of The Lord and help us to gain and strengthen the virtues we may be missing so that we may do The Lords will.
Amen
St. John Francis pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works Cited
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan Media. "Saint John Francis Regis. ”Saint John Francis Regis | Franciscan Media. Accessed 16, June 2021.
Images:
Saint John Francis Regis. June 16, 2021. Saint John Francis Regis - Google Search.