Saint John Francis Regis

John Francis Regis was born in 1597 in Fontcouverte, in the south of France, and entered the Jesuits in 1616. He dreamed of going as a missionary to the native peoples of Canada, but his superiors kept him in France, where he preached missions in the rugged mountain villages of the Vivarais and Velay, often walking through snow. In cities like Le Puy he cared for prisoners and the sick and founded refuges for women at risk of prostitution, teaching them lacemaking so they could earn an honest living. He died of pneumonia at La Louvesc on December 31, 1640, while preaching a mission, and was canonized in 1737.

His shrine at La Louvesc, France, still draws pilgrims; Saint John Vianney made his first pilgrimage there and credited Regis with helping his vocation. Regis University in Denver and Regis High School in New York are named after him.