The deadline of Carnival reminds me of the fairytale, Cinderella, and her midnight transformation. In some ways, this is a perfect metaphor. How can we be transformed through our Lenten duties and devotions?…

What does it mean to fast in today’s Church? And, in today's parlance, is it in or out? As Lent arrives, how can we use the Lenten practice of Fasting to go deeper and look at personal and spiritual areas that need attention... R

Jesus often uses children to make a point. He not only says, “Let the little children come to me” but He also embraces them. Why is this a radical response by Jesus? What’s the big deal and how can we carry out this teaching?...

The depth of God's love for us goes beyond this world. It has been said that the proof of God’s presence in a person‘s life is the presence of joy. How do joy and hope work together and help us spread our faith?

Many of us spend time imagining aspects of the afterlife. Images from the Bible speak of the great “banquet table” in heaven. How do you envision the reunion with loved ones? What does St. Francis say in his teaching?

DeSales Service Works, an Oblate ministry in Camden, NJ, hosts school and parish groups to join the efforts of our “service partners.” Instead of learning about problems and issues, volunteers come to know their sisters and brothers of the same God.  These service partners can inspire all of us to contribute to their efforts—and importantly— to see ways to serve in our regular communities…

St. Francis de Sales wrote, “We pray best before beauty.” It is no coincidence that the Christian tradition is full of works of art. If we can learn to value a work of art for its own sake, then how much more can we learn to value an act of kindness or a moment of prayer for its own sake?...

I always enjoyed the Gospel passage where Jesus says, “Come, follow me,” because following is in my nature! But what if it was interpreted as “Come and be dependent on me.”  How does that resonate differently and how is dependence on the Lord truly what we need?...

As we mourn the victims of the recent plane crashes, we may begin to think: "How can God let this happen, where is God during these times? For Christians, the answer is not in a book but in a person...

DeSales Service Works (DSW) and the City of Camden, NJ have changed a lot since this fence was built. How does it symbolize our humanity and the constant choice between living Jesus and the desires of our ego...

St. Francis de Sales lived two hundred years before Don Bosco but was admired tremendously by him. Why? Because of his zeal for souls! Don Bosco made De Sales’ motto his own – Da Mihi Animas Caetera Tolle – “Give me souls, take away the rest”…

The Oblates around Toledo gathered together and celebrated the Feast of St. Francis de Sales on January 19th. The highlight of the gathering was a reflection given by Jenn Okuley...

When I came to Salesianum School in 2014 I could not have imagined how St. Francis would influence my life. His emphasis on gentleness and patience sparked my heart through interactions with Oblates, teachers, and students, and changed the way I see the word. How can his teachings influence you?…

As we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint on January 24, I am reminded that so many men and women from around the Oblate world wholeheartedly understand St. Francs’ Spirituality. How can one student’s simple explanation of St. Francis’ spirituality, inspire us to carry out Francis’ teachings?…

When Fr. John Crossin, OSFS, nationally renowned ecumenist died unexpectedly last year, he had one last wish. Read how his siblings and brother Oblates are dedicated to fulfilling this desire...

Welcome to the season of Ordinary Time!  How can the ordinary gift of a mug help break the myth that days are ordinary? How does this remind us of God's continuous wonders? ...

Have you ever offered a blessing to someone you love or care for? Through the sign of the cross, laying of hands, etc, we bless others with the love of Christ. As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, let's reflect on how we can be a blessing and give blessings to one another...

On Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, when the Wise Men from the East followed a star to Bethlehem. Here, Mr. Ramos shares traditions of this feast day in his home country of Spain and how through faith we follow our own stars laid out by the Lord…

Scripture tells us that the Lord will sing joyfully because of you. The gift of Christmas that we all receive is the love of the Lord. He loves us so much that he sings joyfully, even when we may not be joyfully singing (or humming) ourselves...