The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

The North American Province (NAP) was formed through the merger of the former WilmingtonPhiladelphia (WP) Province and the ToledoDetroit Province, bringing together the Oblates' ministries across the United States into one province.

The educational apostolate of NAP includes:

• 1 University DeSales University, Pennsylvania
• 5 Schools directly administered by the Oblates:
  • Salesianum School Wilmington, Delaware
  • St. Francis de Sales School Toledo, Ohio
  • Father Judge High School Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Nativity Preparatory School Wilmington, Delaware
  • DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania (higher education)

With its headquarters in Rome, the OSFS congregation has a strong presence across Europe, including France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, where the Salesian tradition first took root.

Major Educational Institutions in France

• Collège Saint-Bernard, Troyes, France the first educational institution associated with the founding mission of the Oblates.
• Saint-Michel School Complex, Annecy, France founded by the Oblates in 1926, this is one of the most prestigious Catholic educational institutions in the region. Today it serves more than 2,000 students, offering education from kindergarten through primary, middle school, high school, and higher education (BTS). The institution remains under the educational trusteeship of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and is a living expression of Salesian pedagogy.

Principal Educational Institutions in Germany & Austria

• Gymnasium Dachsberg Prambachkirchen, Austria
  A renowned Catholic secondary school with a boarding tradition, entrusted to the Oblates and recognized for its holistic formation rooted in Salesian spirituality.
• Gymnasium Haus Overbach Jülich, Germany
  A Salesian educational campus at Haus Overbach, emphasizing academic excellence, faith, and character formation. The Oblates' presence enhances its continuity of being Salesian.
• Science College Overbach Jülich, Germany
  An innovative science and technology education center established in 2009 to promote STEM education through research-based learning and collaboration with schools and universities.

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales have a vibrant and growing presence in Africa through two major circumscriptions:

1. France–West Africa Province (Mother Province)

The Mother Province extends its mission beyond France to Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. It has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Congregation in West Africa through evangelization, education, formation, youth ministry, and social outreach.

Educational ministries include:

• Saint-Michel School Complex, Annecy, France (over 2,000 students)
• Collège Saint-Bernard, Troyes, France
• St. Francis de Sales School, Parakou, Benin
• Student chaplaincies, formation houses, and youth centers across the province.

2. South African Region

The South Africa Region serves South Africa and has expanded its missionary outreach to Namibia. The Oblates are actively engaged in:

• Catholic educational ministries
• Formation houses
• Parish ministry
• Youth apostolates
• Social development and pastoral outreach

The province continues to strengthen the Salesian educational mission by promoting holistic formation rooted in the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales.

With over 40 members, the India Region continues to grow as a missionary presence of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Serving across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the North-East, the Region carries forward the Salesian mission through De Sales Academy, formation houses, parish-based youth ministry, and pastoral outreach. For the past 15 years, De Sales Academy has been a beacon of Salesian education, providing holistic and value-based formation to more than 2,100 students, nurturing young people to become competent, compassionate, and faith-filled leaders.

Educational Ministry

The educational apostolate of the India Region is presently centered on De Sales Academy, Chandapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

De Sales Academy

• Established 15 years ago
• A premier ICSE and ISC institution
• Serves over 2,100 students
• Offers holistic, value-based education inspired by the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and the educational vision of Blessed Louis Brisson
• Emphasizes academic excellence, character formation, leadership, service, and integral human development