John Francis Regis

John Francis Regis, SJ, commonly known Saint Regis (French: Jean-François Régis; 31 January 1597 – 31 December 1640), was a French Jesuit priest who was canonized in 1737. A tireless preacher and social reformer, Regis is best known for his work with at-risk women and orphans.

Life Jean-François Régis was born 31 January 1597, in Fontcouverte, Aude, in the Languedoc region of southern France. His father, Jean Régis, had recently been ennobled as a result of service rendered during the Wars of the League. His mother, Marguerite de Cugunhan, was of a noble family. He was educated at the Jesuit College of Béziers. On 8 December 1616, in his nineteenth year, he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Toulouse and he took his vows two years later.

After finishing his course in rhetoric at Cahors, Regis was sent to teach grammar at several colleges: Billom (1619–22), Puy-en-Velay (1625–27), and Auch (1627–28). While he was teaching, he also pursued his studies in philosophy at the scholasticate at Tournon-sur-Rhône . Noted for an intense love of preaching and teaching the Faith, as well as the desire to save souls, As a newly ordained priest, he worked with bubonic plague victims in Toulouse. From May 1632 until September 1634, his headquarters was at the Jesuit College of Montpellier. Here he labored for the conversion of the Huguenots, visited hospitals, assisted the needy, withdrew from vice wayward women and girls, and preached Catholic doctrine with tireless zeal to children and the poor. Regis is best known for his work with at-risk women and orphans. He established safe houses and found jobs for them. he remained in France all his life.

Regis walked from town to town, in rough mountainous areas where travel was difficult, especially in the winter. at Lalouvesc (Ardèche).

Veneration John Francis Regis was beatified by Pope Clement XI on 18 May 1716, and canonized by Pope Clement XII on 5 April 1737.

Iconography On the occasion of his canonization in 1737, the death of the Saint was represented in a large and famous painting by Jacopo Zoboli, preserved in the sacristy of the Church of the Gesù in Rome.

Patronage John Francis Regis is the patron saint of lacemakers, medical social workers, and illegitimate children.

Legacy Pope Gregory XVI wrote to François-René Boussen, Bishop of Bruges in Belgium, on 28 May 1845, commending the latter's diocese for an initiative undertaken under the patronage of Regis, whereby couples who were living together (i poveri concubinari) were encouraged to consider entering into a sacramental Catholic marriage. The Pope referred to a similar initiative in what was then the Diocese of Malines.

In a 1997 letter to the Bishop of Viviers, Pope John Paul II commemorated the fourth centenary of St. John Francis Regis' birth, honoring him as a "lofty figure of holiness" and an example for the Church in the modern world. Hollywood, Maryland; and Kansas City, Missouri.

Regis University, located in Colorado, along with the Regis Campus of Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, are both named in his honor, as well as numerous elementary and high schools worldwide, including Regis High School (New York City), Regis School of the Sacred Heart (Houston, Texas), Regis High School (Stayton, Oregon), Regis High School (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) and Regis Jesuit High School (Aurora, Colorado).

St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, where a Roman Catholic church named for him stands, is also named in his honor, due to his respect for the native inhabitants of North America.