St.John Francis Regis

Son of a wealthy merchant.
Educated in Jesuit college at Beziers, and at Cahors, Le Puy, Auch, and Tournon.

Jesuit at age 18.
Preacher.
Catechist who was so good that children he taught helped bring their parents back to the Church.
Priest at age 34.
Worked with plague victims in Toulouse.
Taught at Pamiers.
His skill at preaching caused him to be sent as evangelist to provinces that had fallen to the Huguenots following the Edict of Nantes, places where many had abandoned the Church.

Established hostels for prostitutes, whom he called "Daughters of Refuge", who wished to leave the business.
Often assaulted for his trouble.
Helped a group of country girls stay away from the cities by establishing them in the lacemaking and embroidery trade, an area of which he a patron saint.

Died on 31 December 1640 of pneumonia while preaching a mission at La Louvesc, Dauphine, France

Beatified by Clement XI on 8 May 1716

Canonized by Clement XII on 16 June 1737

His memorial is celebrated within the Society of Jesus on 2 July