St. John Francis Regis

 I first learned about today's Saint when I read a book about St. John Vianney. I thought that if this powerhouse of a Saint had a devotion to St. John Francis Regis, he must be someone worth knowing more about. 

Jean-Francois Regis was born in the Languedoc region of southern France in 1597. He was educated at a Jesuit college and then joined the Jesuits as a novice at the age of nineteen. After taking his vows two years later, he taught grammar while pursuing studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 31.

As a priest, he was a tireless worker and spent most of his life serving the marginalized. He worked with bubonic plague victims, visited hospitals, assisted the needy and and preached Catholic doctrine to children and the poor. He was best known for his work with at-risk women and orphans; establishing safe houses for them and finding them jobs. He established several hostels for prostitutes and helped them become trained lace makers, giving them a stable income.

Fr. Regis' preaching style was said to have been simple and direct. He appealed to the uneducated peasantry and reaped a harvest of conversions. However, his boldness - sometimes perceived as arrogance - led to conflicts with some other priests, tension with the local bishop and even threats from those whose vices he condemned. From 1833 to 1840, he gave missions and evangelized throughout the Diocese of Viviers. He walked from town to town in rough mountain areas, where travel was difficult, especially in winter. He died of pneumonia in 1840 at the age of 43.

St. John Francis Regis is patron of lace makers. His feast day is September 10.