During the month of January, the Church celebrates three Salesian saints: St. Leonie Aviat (January 10), St. Francis de Sales (January 24), and St. John Bosco (January 31).
Of the three, St. Leonie Aviat is the least known. But she deserves to be better known, which is why she is the subject of this brief reflection.
The young Leonie attended the small Visitation school of Troyes, France. There, she came to know and admire its saintly Superior, Venerable Mother Mary de Sales Chappuis, whom we Oblates refer to as “the Good Mother.” The chaplain of the Monastery and School was Father (now Blessed) Louis Brisson who soon became Leonie’s spiritual guide.
Leonie and Louis went on to found a new religious Congregation, the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales. Leonie and the first Oblate Sisters staffed four homes for young working girls of Troyes. The Sisters provided the vulnerable young workers with caring, loving, and safe “homes away from home,” all the while strengthening them in their faith and forming them into what they would later become as devoted wives, Christian mothers, and generous contributors to their local communities. The Oblate Sisters would go out from their beginnings in France to many parts of the world, caring for youth in the gentle, joyful, and loving spirit of St. Francis de Sales.
St. Leonie Aviat before entering the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales
For his creative efforts at bringing Christ to the new working classes of the early Industrial Revolution, Blessed Louis Brisson is recognized as a forerunner of the 19th century Church’s growing social awareness.
Women’s contribution to that movement deserves greater attention. And when it receives that attention, St. Leonie Aviat will be numbered among its first leaders!
The following words are taken from the opening prayer for the Mass of St. Leonie Aviat:
“God of all goodness, you put into the heart of Saint Leonie Aviat an ardent desire to live humbly like Jesus, your Son. You taught her to surrender her will to yours and to have a constant charity toward all. Inspired by her example, may we too forget ourselves entirely so that we may serve you better and work for the happiness of others.”
St. Leonie Aviat, pray for us!
Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
