St. Léonie Aviat – Founder of the Oblate Sisters and Advocate for Working Women

ST. LEONIE AVIAT

St. Léonie Aviat was a French religious sister and founder of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, dedicated to uplifting young working women through education and spiritual formation.

St. Léonie Aviat was born on September 16, 1844, in Sézanne, France, during a time of social change and industrialization. From a young age, she was known for her deep piety and a strong desire to serve God. She was educated by the Visitation Sisters at Troyes, where she developed a great love for the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. This influence would shape her entire religious life.

Léonie felt called to religious life early on, but her journey took form when she met Fr. Louis Brisson, a priest concerned with the plight of young women working in the rapidly industrializing factories of France. Many of these women, often impoverished and without proper guidance or support, lived in dangerous moral and physical conditions. Together with Fr. Brisson, Léonie sought to create a haven for these women that combined employment, education, and spiritual formation.

In 1866, Léonie co-founded the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, taking the religious name Sister Françoise de Sales. As the first Superior General, she led the congregation with wisdom and compassion, establishing schools and homes for working girls across France and Switzerland. Her leadership style was humble, and she remained deeply committed to the Salesian spirituality—gentle, patient, and centered on trusting in God's Providence.

During times of political upheaval and anti-clerical sentiment in France, she had to relocate the congregation’s motherhouse to Italy. Despite these difficulties, she preserved the mission and spirit of the order with courage and grace. After her term as Superior General ended, she returned to a quiet life of service within the congregation.

She passed away on January 10, 1914, in Perugia, Italy. Her sanctity was widely recognized during her life and after her death, especially among the many girls and women whose lives had been transformed through her loving care and spiritual direction. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and canonized on November 25, 2001.

Her feast day is celebrated on January 10, the anniversary of her death.

Feast Day

10-1-

Birth Date

16-9-1844

Died Date

10-1-1914

Canonised Date

25-11-2001

France

St. Léonie Aviat, who followed Christ with humility and zeal, help us to work with love in our daily duties and to serve others with joy. Guide us to live with strength, simplicity, and compassion. Amen.
ST. LEONIE AVIAT

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ST. LEONIE AVIAT

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