About Us
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales was founded in 1838 in France as the embodiment of the dream and vision of the Servent of God Fr Peter Mary Mermier. The first MSFS from France arrived in Pondicherry in 1845. Their Indian successors continued their work and established over a hundred schools to benefit all strata of society. The Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales commit themselves to the apostolate of education as one of their charisms and as an expression of their concern for total human development, inspired by Gospel values. SFS Public School & Junior College at Ettumanoor established in 2003 aims to brighten the future of every person with whom we come in contact, with a 'Salesian spirit of attentiveness to the individual, characterized by firmness and gentleness,' making him or her useful to society and helping all to become aware of their own dignity and destiny. The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales was founded in 1838 in France as the embodiment of the dream and vision of the Servent of God Fr Peter Mary Mermier. The first MSFS from France arrived in Pondicherry in 1845. Their Indian successors continued their work and established over a hundred schools to benefit all strata of society. The Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales commit themselves to the apostolate of education as one of their charisms and as an expression of their concern for total human development, inspired by Gospel values. SFS Public School & Junior College at Ettumanoor established in 2003 aims to brighten the future of every person with whom we come in contact, with a 'Salesian spirit of attentiveness to the individual, characterized by firmness and gentleness,' making him or her useful to society and helping all to become aware of their own dignity and destiny.
THE SCHOOL'S HEAVENLY PATRON
St. Francis de Sales is the heavenly patron of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS). Francis de Sales was born on the 21 August 1567 in the Chateau de Sales into the noble Sales family of the Duchy of Savoy, in what is today Thorens-Glieres, Haute-Savoie, France. His father was Francois de Sales, Lord of Boisy, Sales and Novel, and his mother was Francoise de Sionnz, the only child of a prominent magistrate. In 1588 Sales transferred from the University of Paris to the University of Padua in Italy, where he studied both law and theology. There he made up his mind about becoming a priest. Intelligent and handsome, he went through various conversion experiences that moved his heart to serve God rather than money or the world. One incident included his sword falling to the ground while riding a horse, and crossing another sword, making the sign of the Cross. He interpreted this, among other signs, that Jesus Christ was calling him to a life of sacrifice and self-giving love for the Church. In 1592, Sales ended his studies with the title of "Doctor", certified both in law and theology. At home, his father had already secured a variety of positions for his son, one of which was a position in the Senate of Chambery. It was difficult for Francis's father to accept that his son had already chosen the priesthood over a military or political career. After completing his studies in the humanities, rhetoric, theology, and law, Sales preferred to stay focused on his path with God. The intervention of Claude de Granier, then Bishop of Geneva, allowed him to seek ordination, after which he was given an appointment as provost of the cathedral chapter of Geneva in 1593. In 1602, Bishop Granier died, and Sales was consecrated Bishop of Geneva. During his years as bishop, Sales acquired a reputation as a spellbinding preacher and something of an ascetic. He was equally known as a friend of the poor, a man of almost supernatural affability and understanding. These last qualities come through in Sales' books, the most famous of which was "Introduction to the Devout Life", which - unusual for the time - was written especially for laypeople. In it he counseled charity over penance as a means of progressing in the spiritual life. Sales also left the mystical work, the "Treatise on the Love of God", and many highly valued letters of spiritual direction. He was a notably clear and gracious stylist in French, Italian and Latin. In December 1622 Sales was required to travel in the entourage of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy. There he suffered a stroke, from which Sales died on the 28th of December, 1622. Francis de Sales was beatified in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII, who then canonized him four years later. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by the Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1877.The Roman Catholic Church currently celebrates St. Francis de Sales' feast on the 24 January, the day of his burial in Annecy in 1624. He is known as the Gentleman Saint. He is a Doctor of the Church and the patron of journalists everywhere. As a missionary, preacher, educationalist, writer, humanist, and the Bishop of Geneva, Francis upheld universal sanctity for all categories of people. He made himself 'all to all' through his inspiring words and selfless service to fellowmen. His books An Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God have ensured a singular position for him in French literature.
FR PETER MARY MERMIER
Peter Marie Mermier was born on 28 August 1790 at Vouray in the parish of Chaumont en Genevois, in Savoy. The French Revolution had badly affected the Church in Savoy and many priests left the country while a few went into hiding. The revolutionaries had closed churches and schools. So Peter Mermier had his primary education at the hands of his own mother. Peace returned to Savoy in 1800. He did his secondary school studies as a boarder in Melan. In 1807 he joined the major seminary at Chambery. He was fervent in prayer, and a hard worker with thoughtful regard for his fellow students. He was ordained priest on 21 March 1813 at the age of twenty-three-and-half. As a young priest he was a tireless worker. He taught the little ones by day and continued his theological studies at night. After three years he was appointed to teach at the College of Melan and to serve as Prefect of Discipline. The Archbishop of Chambery appointed him Parish Priest of Le Chaterlard in 1819, at the age of thirty. Fr. Mermier was an austere priest of unbounded zeal. Mgr. de Thiollez, Bishop of Annecy, appointed him spiritual director at the major seminary in 1823. But in 1826 the Bishop permitted him to dedicate himself entirely to the mission. Gradually a small group of missioners was formed. In the meantime Fr. Mermier sensed the irreplaceable role of parish missions, the need for a religious congregation of missioners and the patronage of St. Francis de Sales. Fr. Mermier founded the congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) for parish mission, foreign mission and the education of the youth. His missionary zeal impelled him to request the Holy See for a mission abroad and to accept a vast mission territory in India when the Congregation was but in its infancy with just eleven professed members. As regards education, he believed that one had to be a mother to the pupil by tenderness, and a father by prudence. He accepted the management of the College of Avian in 1856 and the College of Melan in the following year. Between 1828 and 1857, Fr. Mermier himself conducted ninety missions. He considered preaching sermon as the chief means of proclaiming the word of God. He adopted the method of carefully prepared simple preaching. He spoke with the conviction of faith, using a fatherly tone of voice marked with a kindly understanding of sinners like St. Francis de Sales had done. He guided the missionaries to lead a life of pleasing and kindly charity in their apostolic ministry and interpersonal relationships. He considered prayer to Our Lady of Seven Dolors to be an eminent Salesian devotional practice. Despite his advancing age, Fr. Mermier took over the Parish of Pougny as priest-in-charge on 26 June 1857. Even at this time he retained a lively and curious mind. His last years were a time of purification and edification. He fell seriously ill at Pougny and was taken to La Feuillette. His eye-sight and thinking capacity weakened. When he felt a little better he went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in July 1859. He suffered a fierce relapse on June 6, 1860 and became totally blind. Meanwhile the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars approved the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales as a congregation with simple vows. On August 10, 1862 Fr. Peter Marie Mermier had a fall, which caused a double fracture of his right leg. He left for his heavenly reward on 30 September 1862.
APOSTOLATE OF EDUCATION
Education of the youth is in the foundational vision and Charism of the Congregation. The dynamics of Fransalian Education is described in the Constitution Art.nos.36-40. Further, the chariacteristics of the apostolate of education is explained in the General Directory in articles 31 & 32. Our founder, the servant of God, Father Mermier says “the heart of education is the education of the heart”. Fransalians through the apostolate of Education try to translate the above maxim of our founder into a reality by liberating from ignorance those entrusted to their care and orienting them to seek truth about themselves, God and the world. Our education strives for excellence in all aspects by empowering and enlightening our students to counter the forces of evil by becoming people who commit themselves as liberators from the social, economic and gender inequalities and from the evils of communalism, regionalism, casteism, racism, tribalism and consumerism .They are taught to work against the forces trying to destroy the environment. In our Fransalian Educational Institutions we strive to provide God experience for the students through our way of life and commitment to the Gospel values by living a life of joyful optimism and respect for others in disinterested self sacrifice. We share with our collaborators especially teachers, instructors and parents the vision of our apostolate of education. Faithful to the saying of our founder, Fr.Mermier “true education is opening of the heart rather than the mind”, Fransalian educators take special care of the affective dimension of the life of the young people under our care. In our approach to the young we are sensitive to every individual person, caring and guiding them gently yet firmly. We focus on human formation committed to the welfare of the society and the entire world. Every Fransalian Education Institution ventures to create a unique Fransalian Culture in our educational ministry.
OUR HISTORY
Fransalians are a body of priests and brothers of the Catholic Church, belonging to the congregation of missionaries of St. Francis De Sales founded by Fr.Peter Marie Mermier in 1838 at Annecy, France, for the renewal of Christian faith, to evangelise people and to educate the youth. In reply to an appeal made by the Pope, six Fransalians landed in India in 1845. Over the years they were joined by other dedicated and courageous men. Fransalians began their work in Eastern and Central India. Centers were opened in places as far as Cuttack, Aurangabad and Nagpur. They started social service centres, dispensaries and orphanages. They gave special attention to education of the youth. At present fransalians are working in different parts of the world ,like England, France, America, East Africa, Philippines, Chilli, Namibia, South Africa, Chad, Mozambique and Cameroun. In India they are engaged in social work and run schools both academic and technical, in urban and rural areas. While respecting all religions and cultures, the Fransalians make their mission hold aloft the ideals taught by Jesus which were an inspiration to Gandhiji and made especially attractive by St. Francis de sales in his writings. The conceptualization of St. Francis De Sales School Neemuch was mooted by Delhi Fransalian Society which runs SFS School Janakpuri, New Delhi. In 2005, Fr. Oscar Kujur MSFS was appointed as the Supervisor cum Manager of the Project, overseeing the developmental plans along with Fr. Jacob Karamakuzhyil who was the project in Charhge. Rev. Fr. Peter Kharadi, Vicar General of Jhabua Diocese laid the foundation stone on 9th January 2008. Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Ujjain Province Joined the MSFS priests as the collaborators of the project in June 2009. The first official schooling for Pre-Primary began in April 2010 with 52 students on roll. The school was formally inaugurated and blessed in the hands of Rt. Rev. Devprasad Ganawa SVD, Bishop of Jhabua on 31st October 2010.