Having trouble seeing this email? {Click here to view it in your browser!}

Oblate Reflection

Jim’s Profession Cross

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS

When Oblates make their first profession, we are given our profession cross. I visited Fr. Jim Cryan OSFS, about a month before he passed away and noticed his profession cross around his neck. I thought I already learned all the cross had to teach me, however, I realized was wrong...Read More

Salesian Reflection

A Heart-to-Heart Spirituality  

Mr. Matthew Trovato, OSFS

Salesian Spirituality is often referred to as a “heart-to-heart” spirituality. This is not a flimsy or sentimental idea, but a real description of how our whole self—attention, affection, memory, and all the rest— comes together in connecting to God and others... Read More

In the Catholic Church in the U.S., each November is celebrated as "National Black Catholic History Month." November was chosen because a number of significant events in Black Catholic history occurred during this month. One major event that the Oblates celebrate happened on November 14, 1950.  On this date in 1950, five African American young men walked through the doors of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, and changed the history of the school and the state. This moment marked the beginning of the end of segregation in Delaware.

Salesianum celebrates this milestone every year. In 2018, Fr. Chris Beretta, OSFS, wrote about this historic event in his article, "Remember the Salesianum students who stood against Delaware school segregation." Read More

St. Francis de Sales School (SFS) hosted the annual Presidential Gala, A Knight Among the Stars, on November 11, 2023 at the Glass City Center in Downtown Toledo, OH. The annual event raises funds for tuition assistance at SFS through silent and live auctions. Over 250 guests were in attendance and enjoyed a night of fun and fellowship supporting the St. Francis "Knights."

Oblates Celebrate Veterans' Day

Thank you to all veterans for your service!

Top Left: Fr. Vince Smith, OSFS, celebrated a Memorial Mass for All the Faithful Departed from Fr. Judge High School (Philadelphia). This included a tribute to the 27 graduates who were killed in the Vietnam War. Top Right: Fr. Jim MacNew, OSFS, celebrated Veterans Mass with Salesianum Alumni Veterans (Wilmington, DE). Bottom: Fr. Joe Campellone, OSFS, celebrated with veterans at AOH Div 39 (Philadelphia, PA.)

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne:

A Salesian Heart

November 18 is the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. St. Rose was born in 1769 in southeast France. At age 19, she entered the Visitation of Holy Mary. This was the religious order founded by St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. During the French Revolution, the convent was closed, and she began taking care of the poor and sick from her family home. After the revolution was over, Rose rented the former convent and tried to revive the order with a small group of nuns who returned. 

After their first year back in the convent, the remaining nuns decided to merge with the new Society of the Sacred Heart. Having been trained in a spirituality of the heart, the new congregation was a good fit for the Visitation sisters. Sister Rose became superior of the new community and at the age of 50, volunteered to go to the United States to work with Native Americans. She and her sisters eventually settled in Missouri and founded the first free school for girls west of the Mississippi. She died in the U.S. in 1852 and was canonized a saint in 1988. Mother Rose died as a revered member of the Society of the Sacred Heart, but as Salesians, we will always hold her in our hearts as a member of our extended family. 

Having trouble finding DeSales Weekly in your inbox?

Add info@oblates.org to your contact list!