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THE SACRAMENTS

The seven Sacraments are outward signs that confer grace and were instituted by Christ for His Church. Through the Sacraments you can grow in your relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The Sacraments are living signs of the sacred presence of God in our midst today. They strengthen us throughout life’s transitions and help us to understand His Holy Will.

If you are interested in receiving a Sacrament through St. Francis de Sales Oratory, click on the prompts below for more information.

Baptism

first holy
communion

confession

Baptism

If you are considering your child to receive their Holy Baptism at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory, parents should be active members of the Oratory, and chosen Godparents shall submit letters of good standing from their home Parish.

Due to the volume of liturgies on Sundays, the Canons prefer Baptisms to take place during weekdays or Saturdays, if possible. Baptisms at Saint Francis de Sales Oratory take about 30 minutes. To begin the scheduling process, please contact the Rectory Office.

First Holy Communion

If you are active members of the Oratory and interested in your child receiving their First Holy Communion, your child must be at the age of reason (at least 7 years old), whereby he or she knows between right and wrong. If the aforementioned criteria is satisfied, please contact the office to schedule their test with a Canon to see if your child is ready. First Holy Communions are done once a year in a group setting during the month of May.

Confession

Confessions are available to any baptized Catholic, and take place 30 minutes before each Mass, and on Sundays from 7AM-12PM. Please refer to the Mass schedule in the current bulletin for more specific details. The confessionals are located near the back of the church on both the left and right sides.

Confessions are also heard by appointment if necessary. To set an appointment, please contact the Rectory office.

Confirmation

If you are an active member of the Oratory and considering your child to receive their Confirmation, please note that all considering this Sacrament should be at least 12 years old to receive. Additionally, there are mandatory weekly Confirmation classes for two months leading up to this Sacrament, followed by an exam to confirm readiness. The exam must be passed before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you would like your child to receive, please contact the Rectory office for more information.

HOLY MATRIMONY

Saint Francis de Sales Oratory offers resplendent and reverent nuptial liturgies for couples. To be married at the Oratory, at least one of the spouses should be a member of the Oratory.

Marriage preparation classes are to be individually attended with a Canon in the months leading up to the wedding day. If you have further questions, please contact the office to receive our wedding packet.

Last Rites

If you or a loved one are in danger of death, our Canons are available as soon as possible to give Last Rites at your home or hospital.

In this case, please call the Rectory Office and ask to speak to a Priest immediately.

confirmation

holy
matrimony

Last rites

Our outreach

In 2005, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest became a part of the great Catholic tradition of St. Louis. His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, called our community to serve God here at St. Francis de Sales Oratory. Since 2005, in the magnificent "Cathedral of South St. Louis," we have served the Faithful under the patronage of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Conception.

540

Baptisms

10,600

public Masses

130

Weddings

150,000

Confessions

Cathedral of South St. Louis

KNOWN AS THE

An excellent example of gothic revival architecture at the turn of the last century, St. Francis de Sales Oratory was voted the "Most Beautiful Church in America" in the 2017 Church Madness Competition conducted by Art and Liturgy of Granda Liturgical Arts.

The restoration projects accomplished by the Oratory have caught the attention of the community and has gained us fans across the country. In accordance with its mission to promote the renewal of the Fox Park and Tower Grove East neighborhoods, the DeSales Community Housing Corporation recognizes outstanding projects which contribute to the improvement and beautification of the neighborhood.

request to join the oratory

Contact our rectory office for more information about becoming a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Oratory.

Support
the oratory

We are grateful for the generosity of the many wonderful supporters, volunteers, and donors who believe in our mission here at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.

As a member of our email list, you will receive our monthly Oratory newsletter, as well as occasional novena prayers, event updates, inspirational videos, and more.