MSFS Congregation ………………..

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The year 2017 marks the 179th Anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, also called The Fransalians. This religious society of Fathers and Brothers is responsible for the administration of the School. The Congregation was founded in 1838, more than two centuries after the death of St. Francis de Sales. Father Peter Mermier was born in 1790 and as a child experienced the terrorism let loose by some extremists of the French Revolution. His parents were farmers. His mother was a wonderful woman from whom he learnt to have faith in God, to face trouble with courage and to help those made to suffer by the terrorists. As a young man, Peter Mermier decided to dedicate his life to the service of God and others as a Priest. For some time he was put in charge of teaching and discipline in a residential school for boys. But he soon realized that his mission was to go from place to place, helping the young and old to live the ideals taught by Jesus and which St. Francis de Sales had practiced so well.

The Fransalians were asked to work in Eastern and Central India. Beginning at Visakhapatnam, they opened centers in places as

far away as Cuttack, Aurangabad and Nagpur. They had to travel long distances on horseback or by bullock-cart. They took care of people affected by famine, or suffering from various diseases.

They started social service centers, dispensaries and orphanages. They gave special attention to education of the youth and

teaching people to trust in God and to live together in peace and joy. While respecting all religions and cultures, the Fransalians make it their mission to hold aloft the ideals taught by Jesus, which were an inspiration to Gandhiji, and made specially attractive by St. Francis de Sales, leading Father Peter Mermier to found the Fransalian Society. At present , the fransalians are working in different parts of India , running social work centres, schools, technical schools ,(in urban and rural areas) , helping the people to live founded on faith in God and concern for the welfare of others. While respecting all religions and cultures, the Fransalians make it their mission to hold aloft the ideals taught by Jesus, which were an inspiration to Gandhiji, and made specially attractive by St. Francis de Sales, leading Father Peter Mermier to found the Fransalian Society.