St. Jean-François Régis, or John Francis Regis, was born
into a noble family on January 31, 1597 in southern France. In 1616 he entered
the Jesuits. He taught grammar and rhetoric while studying philosophy and
theology. He was ordained a priest in 1630. He was known for his zeal of
sharing the faith through teaching and preaching. He particularly wanted to
reach the marginalized. He desired to go to the New World, where many Jesuits were
sent at the time.
Shortly after he was ordained, he tended to victims of the
bubonic plague in Toulouse. He then spent several years in Montpellier where he
worked to convert the Huguenots, preached to children and the poor, and visited
the sick. There he became known for his work with at-risk women and children.
He established several children’s homes and safe houses for former prostitutes
where they learned a trade, often lace-making.
At the invitation of the bishop of Vivers, he travelled and
preached, often converting many throughout the heavily-Protestant areas of
southern France. His missions took him to the rural mountains of France and
areas apathetic or out-right hostile to the faith. His preaching style was said
to be direct and appealing to commoners. His mission field was not far from the
place of his birth, but it was still a mission field, a place that needed his
care and preaching, with marginalized people who needed him.
St. John Francis Regis died of pneumonia on Dec. 31, 1640.
He is the patron of lacemakers, medical social workers, and illegitimate
children.
Though he never made it to the missions of the New World, a
Mohawk reservation in New York is named the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation after
him, in honor of his desire to serve there.
