Saint John Francis Regis
Stored in Cargo: Saint John Francis Regis
| Saint John Francis Regis | |
| Feast Day | June 16 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Lace makers, medical social workers, illegitimate children, Jesuit missionaries |
| Birthplace | Fontcouverte, Aude, France |
| Death Place | Lalouvesc, Ardèche, France |
| Cause of Death | Pneumonia |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint John Francis Regis, Lalouvesc, France |
Saint John Francis Regis (January 31, AD 1597 – December 31, AD 1640) was a saint, French Jesuit priest, missionary, and preacher renowned for his tireless ministry to the poor, marginalized, and rural communities of southern France. Born in Fontcouverte, Aude, to a noble family, he joined the Society of Jesus in AD 1616, was ordained in AD 1630, and served in Le Puy-en-Velay, Montpellier, and Lalouvesc. His missions focused on reviving faith among Huguenots, prostitutes, and peasants, founding confraternities and shelters. Known for his asceticism and long hours in the confessional, he endured harsh winters to reach remote villages. He died of pneumonia in Lalouvesc on December 31, AD 1640, aged 43. Beatified on May 24, AD 1716, by Pope Clement XI and canonized on April 5, AD 1737, by Pope Clement XII, his feast day is June 16 in the Roman Catholic Church. He is patron of lace makers, medical social workers, illegitimate children, and Jesuit missionaries.[1][2]
His relics are venerated in the Basilica of Saint John Francis Regis, Lalouvesc, a pilgrimage site. His ministry, marked by miracles like healing a sick woman, resembled Saint Vitus’s wonderworking and Saint James of Nisibis’s missionary zeal. His shelters for reformed prostitutes and orphans left a lasting social impact.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint John Francis Regis was born on January 31, AD 1597, in Fontcouverte, Aude, France, to Jean Regis, a wealthy merchant, and Marguerite de Cugunhan, of noble descent. The second of five sons, he was educated by Jesuits at Béziers.[1][5]
Early Life
Raised in a pious family, John studied at the Jesuit college in Béziers, excelling in academics and devotion. At 19, he joined the Society of Jesus in Toulouse on December 8, AD 1616, completing his novitiate and studies in philosophy and theology at Tournon and Toulouse. His early zeal for souls emerged during his formation.[2][6]
Occupation
John was a Jesuit priest, missionary, and preacher. Ordained in AD 1630, he began missions in Le Puy-en-Velay, Montpellier, and Viviers, preaching to rural Catholics and Huguenots. In Lalouvesc (AD 1636–1640), he established confraternities, hospitals, and refuges for prostitutes and orphans. His tireless travels through mountainous regions, often in snow, reached isolated communities.[1][3]
Vocation
John’s vocation was evangelizing the marginalized and reforming society. His preaching, like Saint Vitus’s bold witness, revived faith, converting thousands. He founded the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and shelters for vulnerable women, mirroring Saint James of Nisibis’s charity. His ascetic life, sleeping little and eating sparingly, and miracles, like healing a sick woman, drew comparisons to early martyrs. He spent hours daily in confession, earning the title “Apostle of the Velay.”[4][7]
Death
John died on December 31, AD 1640, in Lalouvesc, Ardèche, France, from pneumonia contracted during a winter mission. Found collapsed after preaching, he died in a small hut, aged 43. His body, buried in Lalouvesc, rests in the Basilica of Saint John Francis Regis, a pilgrimage center.[1][5]
Significant events
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Legend
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Canonization
Servant of God
John’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-mortem, with pilgrims flocking to Lalouvesc for cures, supported by Jesuit records of his life by AD 1641.[2]
Venerable
Declared Venerable in AD 1716 by Pope Clement XI, based on his heroic virtue and missionary work.[3]
Beatification
Beatified on May 24, AD 1716, by Pope Clement XI, with miracles like posthumous healings at Lalouvesc.[4]
Canonization
Canonized on April 5, AD 1737, by Pope Clement XII, his feast set for June 16, reflecting his missionary legacy.[1][3]
Miracles
Miracles include healing a sick woman during his missions and numerous posthumous cures at Lalouvesc, supporting his canonization.[3]
Miracle for beatification
A posthumous healing at Lalouvesc was key for his AD 1716 beatification.[4]
Miracle for canonization
Multiple cures, including a documented healing, were cited for his AD 1737 canonization.[3]
Other notable miracles
- Conversion of hardened sinners in Viviers, AD 1630s.
- Protection of Lalouvesc pilgrims, 17th century.[7]
Patronage
John is patron of lace makers (from women’s shelters), medical social workers, illegitimate children (from orphan care), and Jesuit missionaries (his vocation).[8]
Feast day
His feast day is June 16 in the Roman Catholic Church, commemorating his missionary work.[1][7]
Veneration
John is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, with devotion centered in Lalouvesc. Pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saint John Francis Regis seek his intercession. His image, with a cassock and staff, adorns churches like Saint John Francis Regis Church in Kansas City. Feast day liturgies highlight his charity, akin to Saint Vitus’s miracles and Saint James of Nisibis’s outreach.[4][9]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- Saint John Francis Regis: Apostle of the Poor by Joseph P. Morrissey[1]
- Jesuit Saints and Martyrs by Joseph N. Tylenda[1]
Written by the saint
- None attributed; his sermons were not preserved in written form.[2]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "John Francis Regis". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Regis.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "St. John Francis Regis". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08477a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Saint John Francis Regis". Franciscan Media. 2024-06-16. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-francis-regis.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint John Francis Regis". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-john-francis-regis/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. John Francis Regis". Catholic News Agency. 2024-06-16. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-john-francis-regis-489.
- ↑ "St. John Francis Regis". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/john-francis-regis-1218.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. John Francis Regis". Vatican News. 2024-06-16. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/16/st--john-francis-regis.html.
- ↑ "Saint John Francis Regis". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-john-francis-regis.
- ↑ "Basilica of Saint John Francis Regis". Tourisme Ardèche. https://www.tourisme-ardeche.com/en/fiche/basilica-of-saint-regis-lalouvesc-6075288/.