Bl. Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson
Source: Catholicsaints.info
Founder of the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales
Roman Martyrology: In Aube, France, Blessed Louis Brisson, founder of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales, priest ( † 1908).
Beatification date: September 22, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Born on June 23, 1817 in Plancy-l’Abbaye, Aube, France. The only child of Toussaint and Savine Brisson. Educated by a local priest who had a large library; Louis read everything, but was especially interested in science.
Seminarian in Troyes, France. Ordained on December 19, 1840. Teacher at the Visitation school in Troyes. Chaplain to the Visitation Sisters in Troyes. Confessor, spiritual director and eventual biographer of Mother Marie Therese de Sales Chappuis, superior of the Visitation house.
With her help, and that of Saint Francisca Salesia, he founded the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales in 1859 to minister to girls working in textile factories.
Established Saint Bernard’s College in Troyes in 1869. On August 27, 1876, Louis and five other priests formed the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales. Late in his life, the French government closed all religious houses, and the Oblates transferred their General House to Rome, Italy; being too elderly and frail to travel so far, Father Louis saw them off and then retired to spend his remaining days at his family home in Plancy, France.
He died on February 2, 1908 in Plancy-l’Abbaye, Aube, France.