• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The St. Francis de Sales Association

The St. Francis de Sales Association

A spiritual family for Catholic lay women who desire spiritual friendships and to deepen their faith

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About the Association
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Download Our Brochure
    • U.S. Group Locations
    • Our History
    • Our Founders
    • Our Spiritual Family
    • Our Relationship With the Church
    • How to Join
  • Salesian Spirituality
  • Spiritual Friendship
  • FAQ
  • Brochure
  • Donations
  • Contact Us
  • Salesian Resources
  • Catholic Resources
  • Salesian Quotes for May
  • Member Login
Home > About the St. Francis de Sales Association

About the St. Francis de Sales Association

The St. Francis de Sales Association was founded in France in 1872. It is a spiritual family made up of lay Catholic women —single, married, or widowed—who choose to live their lives grounded in the Gospel and according to Salesian teachings and virtues. We follow our “gentleman saint” along our journey towards God. Our motto is “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)

Then and Now: A Gentle Spirituality For Our Busy, Daily Lives

St. Francis de Sales (1567 – 1622) wrote two spiritual classics that remain fresh and timely to this day: “Introduction to the Devout Life” and “Treatise on the Love of God.” Based on these works and the Gospel, Salesian spirituality offers a simple way of reconciling the often conflicting demands of home, family, career, church and community.

St. Francis assures us that our daily duties in life are the most important tasks we have on our path to holiness. As we walk this path, we will see more and more clearly what God wants us to be and to do.

Do you long for meaning in your life? Do you want your personal joys, work, hopes, prayers and suffering to have value? Do you desire friendship within a spiritual family? If so, Salesian spirituality may be the answer to God’s call for you. Learn more about becoming an associate of the St. Francis de Sales Association.

Learn More About the Association:

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Download a Brochure
  • Our Group Locations in the U.S.
  • The History of the Association
  • Our Founders
  • Our Relationship With the Catholic Church
  • How to Become an Associate

The Joy of Being a Daughter of St. Francis de Sales

Listen to this inspiring video podcast where Julianne Jackson, an associate in our Gulf Coast group, is interviewed about her experiences in the St. Francis de Sales Association. Julianne shares her journey of seeking, discovering and becoming a Daughter of St. Francis de Sales and how it has filled her life today with spiritual friendship and joy. The podcast is one of a series on the lay apostolate produced by Father Victor Ingalls of Mobile, Alabama.

Watch the Video Podcast (53 min.)

Is God Calling You?

Father Glen Eftink, the chaplain of our group in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, gave a wonderful 18-minute presentation about the St. Francis de Sales Association. Please watch the video to learn more about our association and find out if God may be calling you to this vocation. 

Watch Father Eftink’s Talk (18 min.)

Please share these links with friends who may be interested in the association.

The St. Francis de Sales Association falls under the umbrella of the France-based Society of St. Francis de Sales, which also includes the Sons of St. Francis de Sales, Priests of St. Francis de Sales and the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

Related Websites

The St. Francis de Sales Association falls under the umbrella of the France-based Society of Saint Francis de Sales, which also includes the Sons of St. Francis de Sales, Priests of St. Francis de Sales and the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate. The Society has it’s own website, and there are sites for our association in French and German as well:

  • Society of Saint Francis de Sales website – French language
  • St. Francis de Sales Association website – French language
  • St. Francis de Sales Association website – USA and English-speaking visitors (our site)
  • St. Francis de Sales Association website – German language

Primary Sidebar

A Life Filled With Joy

Julianne Jackson, Gulf Shores Group

Listen as Julianne Jackson shares her journey of seeking, discovering and becoming a Daughter of St. Francis de Sales and how … Learn More about Living a Life of Spiritual Friendship and Joy

Download Our Brochure

Brochure about the St. Francis de Sales Association

Download a brochure to learn more about our Salesian spirituality, our formation and our association. It is available in both English and … Download Now about Download Our Brochure

Contact Our Association

Your Name(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2025 St. Francis de Sales Association. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy


Member, North American Salesian Network

The St. Francis de Sales Association is a private, international association of the faithful created to promote and encourage the personal holiness of its Roman Catholic members and falls under the jurisdiction of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. Visit our listing in the dicastery’s directory.

 

Need Help?

Contact our web team

The St. Francis de Sales AssociationLogo Header Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About the Association
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Download Our Brochure
    • U.S. Group Locations
    • Our History
    • Our Founders
    • Our Spiritual Family
    • Our Relationship With the Church
    • How to Join
  • Salesian Spirituality
  • Spiritual Friendship
  • FAQ
  • Brochure
  • Donations
  • Contact Us