Born in France in 1844, Saint Leonie Aviat was deeply influenced by the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales. She founded, with Blessed Louis Brisson, a religious congregation with a very specific mission. These religious sisters were to help the young women who worked in the textile mills.
Originally, Saint Leonie Aviat wanted to be a contemplative sister living behind cloistered walls. The factory workers who needed homes, education and spiritual encouragement inspired her to start a more active order of sisters. This order was named the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. When Saint Leonie Aviat took her final vows, she took the name Sister Francis de Sales.
Saint Leonie Aviat became the first Superior General of the Oblates. Many women joined the order. They founded many schools and a home for the girls and women workers.
After her death in 1914, her motto "Let us work for the happiness of others," continues today in the work of the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales.
Saint Leonie Aviat is the patron saint of several regions in France and the co-patron of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Saint Leonie Aviat thought she would live her life in quiet prayer and contemplation, but God had other plans. Let us ask Saint Leonie Aviat to help us to know God’s plan and to act on His will rather than our own wills.