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Saint Francis de Sales Society Saint Francis De Sales Society: Make Your Mark on the Seminary’s Future The tradition of leadership giving to Saint Francis de Sales Seminary dates to its very beginning. Between 1853 and 1857, Father Joseph Salzmann recorded the names of 10,000 benefactors who supported the Seminary in a 150-page book that was four inches thick! Included in that listing were 637 names of those who became members of the first leadership giving society. The society sought yearly contributions from its members. In addition, it encouraged them to pray daily: “Lord, send laborers into Thy vineyard, for the harvest is great.” That simple prayer still speaks to our need. Today, however, it costs $40,000 a year to prepare each of those “laborers.” It is money well-spent, for it funds the future of our priesthood and assures that priests will continue to be formed here at home. More than ever, the vitality of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary depends on significant support from visionary leaders. Returning to the wisdom of Fr. Salzmann’s initial efforts, we are reinstituting the Saint Francis de Sales Society! The society will bring together pioneers like it did over 150 years ago. Will you join the company of others as a charter member of the society helping to support seminary education for the 21st century? Membership Opportunities
Member Benefits Saint Francis de Sales Society members will be recognized in numerous ways, among them:
Society Namesakes
Shaping the Seminary with vision. |
Fr. Joseph Salzmann – Fr. Salzmann was a tireless advocate for the
Seminary and, it could be argued, was the Archdiocese’ first fundraiser.
He established the Salesian Society in order to galvanize support for the
Seminary from the laity, solicited pledges or sponsorships from parishes,
and fostered the growth of charitable societies within parishes to nurture
vocations. Fr. Salzmann also started the first seminary library. He is
quoted as saying, “The people cry for priests, they have bread.”
Archbishop John Martin Henni –
Archbishop Henni, the first Bishop and Archbishop of Milwaukee, was a
pioneer missionary. He was responsible for founding the diocese and
serving the expanding Catholic population. Archbishop Henni started the
seminary out of his home in 1845 and then at its current location in 1856.
He also established the first Catholic parishes, schools, hospitals and
orphanages.
Archbishop Michael Heiss – Archbishop Heiss, the second
Archbishop of Milwaukee, “was a tireless student and masterful teacher who
shaped the educational spirit, action, and aim of the seminary.” He was
the first rector of the Seminary, and as Archbishop is credited with
stabilizing the finances of the Archdiocese, instituting the parish tax,
and developing the first Archdiocesan school board. According to his
wishes he is buried beneath the Seminary’s chapel.
Cardinal Albert Gregory Meyer –
Cardinal Meyer, priest-son of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and
Archbishop of Milwaukee before becoming Archbishop of Chicago and later
Cardinal of Chicago, was Milwaukee’s first native-born Archbishop. He was
a student, member of the faculty, and rector of Saint Francis Seminary. He
spearheaded a $3 million campaign which included renovations to the
Seminary. Cardinal Meyer was also a leading bishop-scholar at the Second
Vatican Council.
St. Francis de Sales – St. Francis de Sales is the individual for whom Saint Francis de Sales Seminary is named. He was a
distinguished writer and spiritual guide for religious and lay people
alike. Known to be a preacher of immense power and persuasion, he won
people over by his kindness and generosity of spirit. In 1848 while
kneeling in prayer at his grave in Annecy near the border between France
and Switzerland, Archbishop Henni offered a petition to St. Francis that
his project for a new seminary might be fulfilled.