Our story
La FSalesian Heritage Foundation its mission is to preserve, promote and transmit the spiritual, cultural and intellectual heritage of Saint Francis de SalesA major figure in Christian humanism, the Salesian Foundation, based in Thorens-Glières, an emblematic location in its history, works to preserve the Salesian heritage and promote its thought through cultural and publishing activities. Faithful to the values of dialogue, respect, and trust in humanity, it strives to be a... a place of reference and reflection at the service of all.
A word from the founders
Isabelle de Roussy de Sales
Do you remember the moment when you grasped the extent of Saint Francis de Sales' influence and his thought?
I remember two very different events that did not have the same impact at the time.
The first was the day my mother gave me “Introduction to the Devout Life”. As a young woman, I must admit that the approach wasn't easy at the time….
The second was when some sisters from Brazil asked me for permission to take a little soil in front of the Chapel. For them it was an immeasurable gift and for me it was just a little bit of soil from home.
Yes, that's where I realized that this heritage needed to be preserved, shared, and developed.”
My husband and I were extremely moved and we will each keep an indelible memory of it.
What personally touched you about his thinking, to the point of creating a foundation based on it?
First of all, it's...the richness of this extraordinary man's personality.
Bishop Yves Boivineau of Annecy described him thus: “Everything about him was goodness, gentleness, patience, so much so that in his presence, everyone, and especially the humble and the lowly, knew they were recognized, became aware of their dignity and felt reborn.”
We can easily become familiar with, or even friendly with, the Saint from whom we are separated by more than four centuries, but who is so close to us.
We have a desire to get to know this spiritual master better, who has everything to teach us today.
Which audience would you like to reach primarily through your project?
I think it's the other way around… The foundation will allow everyone to get to know St. Francis de Sales intimately through his teachings, and therefore everyone will feel touched.
Have you met people who have shared their experiences with St F.'s philosophy?
Throughout my childhood, I lived in this castle, surrounded by an intellectual and religious community that came FOR St. Francis. My education took place within this same community. Everyone came for him, for us, and were devoted to the castle. My father was aware that he possessed something that belonged to everyone and always sought ways to share it. The fact that my father opened the castle to the public in 1960 as a museum, thus sharing our Salesian “family treasures,” allowed me to spend a lasting amount of time with all these people. Those already committed to his cause and his work (intellectuals, clergy, laypeople), but also all those touched by Francis's story and eager to deepen their understanding of the man and his philosophy.
What would you say to someone who would like to discover the thought of St. Francis but is not comfortable with the notion of spirituality?
To read the books of Father Gilles Jeanguenin, starting with “Fioretti of St. Francis de Sales”. It is a collection of anecdotes where we are touched by the humanity, simplicity, humor, wisdom and spiritual strength of St. Francis and which exudes the beauty of creation but also the greatness of man and the humanity of God.
This book will make you know and love his life and personality, through the telling of touching, likeable, funny and lively episodes.
Is there a quote or saying from St. Francis that accompanies you in your personal life?
“We must know how to flourish where God has planted us.”
…it is not always easy to bear the physical, mental, and hereditary burden of this field. I have often felt like giving up, like finding fulfillment elsewhere, but this phrase from St. Francis rekindled another kind of awareness and reminded me that each individual has a mission: it is essential to engage in the life of the community and to arm oneself with patience and devotion to accept the challenges that await us in the conditions that surround us.
That's why I'm still here.
You are a descendant of a brother of St. Francis de Sales and the heir to the intangible heritage left by the Saint. How would you describe this heritage?
It is above all his spiritual families who are heirs to this intangible heritage: Visitandines, Oblates, Missionaries, Don Bosco, priests, lay people and all those who, in one way or another, have kept his philosophy alive.
I am merely the heir to the place where he was born, and my family, before me, always prioritized preserving the estate out of respect for this holy man and his work. The foundation is a natural continuation of this respectful approach.
Christian Bozon
Interview – Christian Bozon, co-founder of the Salesian Heritage Foundation
In this exclusive interview, Christian Bozon, co-founder of the Salesian Heritage Foundation and husband ofIsabelle de Roussy de Sales, looks back on his personal and spiritual journey which led him to commit himself to this cause.
He shares sincerely:
The origins of the creation of the Salesian Heritage Foundation
The key stages of its development
Its mission, values and objectives
The human, educational and spiritual challenges addressed by the foundation today
An inspiring encounter that sheds light on the meaning of commitment, transmission and the Salesian legacy in service to young people and future generations.
Why such a project ?
The reflection we shared led us to a conclusion: St. Francis, through his life, the richness of his works, and his teachings, is for us the Great Savoyard Saint. Despite the importance of his writings, the most widely read in the Christian world after the Bible, St. Francis de Sales suffers from a significant lack of recognition.
How did the foundation project come about?
Based on this simple observation, we, members of his temporal family, felt the desire to think about a unifying project in the place of his birth, a place that was so dear to him.
We therefore began a more in-depth reflection and worked on creating a structure whose objective would be to disseminate his thoughts and writings as widely as possible.
This foundation has a philosophical and spiritual purpose and aims to bring a breath of fresh air to our current world. We are, in a humble way, its initiators, but it must and will be the achievement of an entire team, in a spirit of openness like that of St. Francis de Sales.
What is the purpose of the Foundation?
As stated in the statutes: to communicate and promote the thought of St. Francis de Sales in order to offer spiritual guidance. The second objective is to collect and preserve his works.
The Foundation's pillars will be the values championed by Francis: Openness, Humanism, and Spirituality. We want to perpetuate his spiritual legacy, adhering to his motto: “Everything through love and nothing through force.”
We therefore plan to create a major spiritual center on the highly symbolic site of St. Francis' birthplace. The St. Francis de Sales World Center will be a place of gathering and reflection for all.
Why is the headquarters in Fribourg, Switzerland?
Due to its neutrality in the world and its peaceful international image, the administrative procedures for this type of legal structure are also simple and deadlines. The foundation was declared a public utility at the same time. De Moreover, the annual accounts are audited by the Federal State of Bern, which provides donors with the guarantee of proper use of the funds held and acquired.
The choice of Fribourg was a natural one because it has been a Salesian canton for several centuries and therefore they welcomed us very well.
The family legacy
The Domaine
The de Sales family has preserved the estate linked to Saint Francis for over four centuries. The Château de Thorens has remained the home of their descendants to this day.
This unbroken link testifies to the commitment of his heirs to protecting the family heritage and the memory of the saint. Thus, on the hills of Thorens-Glières in Haute-Savoie, the earthly roots of Francis de Sales remain, tended with devotion by the Roussy de Sales family, his current descendants.
La Chapelle
The birthplace of Francis de Sales has also survived the ages in a new form. The Château de Sales, located near Thorens, was destroyed in 1630 during the turmoil of the French invasion. In 1672, his nephews erected a small chapel on the ruins of this castle, precisely on the spot where the saint was born. This chapel perpetuates the spiritual presence of Francis de Sales in this place.
Over time, it became a modest family shrine and a pilgrimage site for those wishing to reflect in the place where "Francis the Savoyard" was born. Even today, the Sales chapel is maintained in memory of the saint, housing, among other things, the tomb of his descendants and a Baroque altarpiece from 1677, like a sacred bridge between the past and the present.
The castle
A little-known fact is that it was François de Sales himself who enabled his family to acquire the Château de Thorens. Taking advantage of his time at the French court, he finalized the purchase of this Savoyard residence for his siblings in 1602. The Château de Thorens thus became the new fiefdom of the de Sales family after the destruction of their ancestral castle.
Over the centuries, it has witnessed the succession of generations, while keeping alive the memory and values of the Blessed Father. It remains a place of remembrance that welcomes Salesians, Christians from all walks of life, lay people, and people of all faiths.
His vision of life
He first struggled to understand HIMSELF. His journey
It also testifies to his tenacity and his love for everyone. To touch the soul, he offers a simple approach grounded in everyday life, where everything happens. It is always with this same gentleness, this same optimism, that he makes holiness accessible to all.
More than material possessions, Francis de Sales left his family and disciples a true vision of life centered on love. His maxim, "Do everything out of love, nothing out of force," is central to this vision.
", remains his quintessential spiritual motto.
The mission of our Foundation
Our mission is toto keep alive and spread the humanist, spiritual and intellectual legacy of Saint Francis, so that it continues to enlighten and enrich the lives of women and men today.”
We also wish to offer a welcoming place for all Salesians worldwide. An iconic place where every Salesian, in heart, soul, or spirit, can connect more deeply with the story of Francis. A living and embodied way to perpetuate his legacy.
Indeed, his legacy does not belong to the past: it still speaks to our time, to our questions, to our fragilities and to our deep aspirations.
Drawing on the philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales, we want to make his values of Openness, Humanism and Spirituality the hallmark of our Foundation.
L'Opening It is based on welcoming others with kindness, without judgment or coercion, and rejecting all forms of moral or religious violence. "The human heart is won through love." as St. Francis taught us.
We need to relearn to listen respectfully to different opinions, cultures and beliefs, to engage in dialogue without seeking to dominate or impose our truth, and to welcome diversity as an asset rather than a threat. Believers, secularists, atheists, you are all welcome. Come and discover the Salesian spirit in all its simplicity.
The task is great! However, Salesian openness is an openness of the heart, based on patience, gentleness and trust in the freedom of each individual.
In its great modernity, Humanism St. Francis de Sales's philosophy is profoundly realistic and optimistic. He does not deny human weaknesses, but invites us to accompany them with compassion. For him, human beings are worthy of love because they are loved by God. "Be what you are, but be good." he told us. He puts his personal experience at the service of his teaching and actively shares it with us with confidence and enthusiasm.
The Foundation wants to follow in his footsteps and translate in turn this humanism through unconditional respect for each person regardless of their situation or the factors that make them unique, but also through special attention to the most vulnerable, without paternalism and with the conviction that everyone can progress, grow and transform.
This man of letters has left us with many quotes. Find the one that speaks to you, the one you've been waiting for to spark free reflection and perhaps even change your life and your choices.
Talk about Spirituality This can lead to a "shortcut" to religion. This is not the case, and Francis reminded us of this during his lifetime. He affirmed that spiritual life was possible in all conditions of life: family, work, society.“Be what you are and be good". This spiritual life is neither elitist, nor detached from the world, and certainly not based on feats of strength. It is with the same humility and conviction that we want to help everyone find meaning in daily life and ordinary relationships, and also to cultivate a peaceful inner life consistent with their values in the heart of a turbulent world.
This spirituality is embodied, simple and joyful, focused on concrete love rather than exceptional practices. It invites us to act not in words but in imitation.
. Sharing Knowledgeby promoting transmission and dialogue in order to develop thinking
- Making culture and knowledge accessible to allwithout distinction, in order to contribute to individual and collective emancipation.
- Using pedagogy to transmitallowing each person time for their inner journey
- To spread the word and reach out to others, Our ambition is to create bridges between individuals and communities.
Just like St Francis, our commitment is familial, social and civic.
It is easy to draw a metaphor between nature, so dear to St. Francis, and our objectives: the Foundation's mission is to continue sowing throughout the world the seeds shaped by the Holy Man. It is up to each individual to nurture them in their conscience or heart, to cultivate them through their choices and actions, and to share them in turn.
Everyone can choose to expand their knowledge through our website, books by or about St. Francis, and the future museum center. We also plan to host conferences and debates where everyone can share their thoughts with others, both secular and religious. We also intend to create podcasts called “Your Quote, Your Vision,” where several people will discuss a quote from St. Francis.
Our educational approach will also involve going out to meet young people in schools, high schools and universities.
The birth of the project
The start
At the end of 2020, the Salesian Heritage Foundation is created. At the same time, it is recognized as being of public utility. This step marks the official starting point of a project driven by a clear vision.
The Foundation began making itself known in April 2021. press release is sent to nearly 200 media outlets, print and radio, in France and Switzerland, to announce its creation.
To strengthen communication, another press conference is organized at the castle. The founding members present the initial intentions of the project and open a dialogue with the public and partners.
That same year, the first brainstorming workshops were set up. They brought together participants from very diverse professional backgrounds. All volunteered their time. Some took part in several workshops, as all the discussions had to be part of a comprehensive, coherent project that respected the values upheld by the Foundation, as well as the economic and historical realities of the location.
Gradually, Three main themes for reflection are identified and give rise to dedicated workshops.
- Architecture, works and construction
- Contents and works on the works of Saint Francis
- Scientific Committee, History of Savoy
Around the table are members of the Foundation's board of directors, architects, construction professionals, and surveyors. Also present are a theology professor and researcher, Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, as well as historians and volunteers passionate about either history or the figure of Saint Francis de Sales.
Analyses and reflections
The discussions are rich and varied. The workshops address the location of the future museum center, possible architectural approaches, and the distribution of buildings on the site.
Issues of social responsibility, preservation of the natural environment, and respect for the simplicity so dear to Saint Francis de Sales are central to the discussions. Participants are also considering benchmarking projects for the museum, the choice of its emblem, and how to translate the Foundation's three founding principles—openness, humanism, and spirituality—into concrete terms. One key question runs through all the discussions: how to create a dialogue between the museum and history so that together they bear witness to the Salesian spirit, while simultaneously bringing it to life in a vibrant and dynamic way.
In parallel, the project is leading to numerous meetings with local, departmental, and regional elected officials. These exchanges are essential, as the construction of the museum center requires several permits, particularly regarding building permits. and land use rights.
At the end of this intense year of reflection and consultation, one conclusion became clear in the summer of 2022. It became necessary to structure all the shared ideas and move to a more operational phase. To support this evolution and adapt the approach to the development of the real estate project, a Assistant to the Master of Ouvrage joins the teams. His mission is to lead the project and clearly define the next steps.
Evolution and new phases
A first diagnostic phaseThis process then begins. It consists of collecting and analyzing the files from the workshops, studying land and transportation, and examining the local urban development plan. and its constraints.
Then comes the pre-program phaseIt allows us to gather all the expressed needs and to synthesize them, both architecturally and functionally, based on the work carried out by the working groups.
The third phase is conceived as an ideas competitionIt includes a benchmark of architectural firms, the preparation of administrative and technical documents, the identification of regulatory and functional points of vigilance, as well as the validation of the competition approach within the workshops.
UnfortunatelyThe launch of the architectural competition and the drafting of the specifications have ultimately been postponed. Changes to the local urban development plan and the arrival of new institutional stakeholders necessitate an adjustment to the schedule and open a new phase in the project's development.