Guest Book

It is so wonderful to know that there is a priest in the confessional when we visit St. Francis de Sales Oratory. Thank you, Canon!

Mass of January first was inspiring. we especially loved the wonderful organ music and the lovely haunting plainchant. I have never been to another church in the area(or out of the area) that has both the lovely musical choices and the excellent voices to interpret it. The homilies at this church are always instructive, sure to teach listeners about their Catholic Faith. If I were a rich man I would give lots of money to the canons to fix all the holes in this massive ediface. This is an example of the Catholic Church at it's best!

We love St. Francis DeSales and Canon Wiener! Special thanks to Nick Botkins for a job well done on the music every Sunday. Being a musician myself I know what time is involved in putting this together every week. See you all Sunday!

I grew up at St. Francis de Sales. My mother worked in the rectory & school. I remember going to mass with my class mates each week and on Sundays. Even now when I close my eyes to pray it's that altar I see. I live in another city now, but when we are back driving through town and I see the steeple I know I'm home. Looking through the website and blog brought tears to my eyes this morning. I remember afternoons after school waiting patiently in the convent or rectory, waiting for mom to finish up so we could leave. I remember sneaking down the hall of the convent and peeking in on Sr. Fidela's grand piano at the end of the hall. I hope to be able to contribute financially someday to the restoration of the church, but in the mean time I will keep all who are doing this work in my prayers.

The picture for the mystery photo is of newly renovated sacristy

So great to see this wonderful church restored..Also, it is a breath of fresh air to see the good work of the Institute, esp. with beautiful and reverent Tridentine mass..Very much needed in these times..

Although a slow work in progress the restoration is looking up. I hope there is a carry over to the homes in the area also.

Today at 10 am mass, we helped 4 visitors to get what they needed to follow the unfamiliar Mass. They had come expecting a Spanish mass and were very happy to be present at the traditional Latin mass instead. Afterwards, the gentleman expressed his delight and said with a very happy smile: " This was wonderful ---it takes me back." He said, "Do they have this here every Sunday?" What blessed fortune to have been so present during SFdSales Lenten sermon series. Masterful use of both unspoken and spoken ideas! Our canons have so very much to teach and I am eternally grateful for my family.

I have been a Catholic for almost 59 years and I never remember EVER hearing a sermon on gluttony. This was remarkable and MUCH appreciated. Excellent information! Thank you, Canon. This series on the seven vices is not to be missed. What can be up your sleeve next?

We were at the closing mass for 40 hours Tuesday night and no fewer than 3 people said to us (unsolicited),"Wasn't that beautiful?". The prayers must have worked since with all the rain and weather there were no people on the streets. Thank you to the oratory parish of St. Francis de Sales, Institute of Christ the King

AND Irish, the music is sublime!

for "Irish" and the comments, our family loves the Traditional Mass, Raymond Cardinal Burke and St. Francis de Sales! I just wish we were millionaires so we could fix every crack in the foundation. Any millionaires out there in St. Francis de Sales land? WE need you!

If Raymond Cardinal Burke comes to Francis de Sales--- maybe we should always come to church here in case the good cardinal might pop in unexpectedly! The St. Francis de Sales people AND the Holy Father seem to like him.

We bought the new music DVD on the feast of ST. Francis de Sales (external solemnity) and have really enjoyed the music. THIS recording is very well done. No one would be disappointed to purchase it for their home, auto or gift. I think the $15.00 dollars were well spent.

I attended Mass at St. Francis De Sales back in 2001 after being drawn to the majestic steeple from my view from the A.G. Edwards home office building while working there the prior summer. I give thanks to our Lord for all that is now happening there. I look forward to attending soon to worship with you all, and hope to hear more about the community developing around all the efforts. God Bless you all, and I pray that the Lord will provide for all the needs being identified, and that many will come to know his grace, his beauty, and his majesty through your efforts.

Once I happened to meet Msgr. Schmitz in Kansas City. He knew I liked to go to St. Francis de Sales Oratory. He said, "Have you met Canon Wiener yet? You will really like him---He is great!"

What a wonderful place of worship! Thank you for all you do to bring this church back to full life.

Our family loved the German food at the Oratory last month on the 102nd anniversary....can't wait until next year! YUM!

What a rare find in St. Louis! The Oratory offers the opportunity to "keep the Sabbath holy"if Catholics wish to cooperate. Solemn High Mass, beautifully sung and prayed, Christian fellowship, and then to finish off the Sunday ---sung Vespers. Wow!

This was not the first time I have attended St. Francis de Sales Oratory. Lucky day for my family since there was a reception to celebrate the arrival of Canon Aaron Huberfeld, recently ordained by Archbishop Burke in Italy. Canon gave us his first blessing which has attached a plenary indulgence to it. As the special blessing was given I was handed a lovely holy card commemorating the event and to help me remember him in my prayers. There is always something interesting happening at that parish. .

Enjoyed cooler weather for the Summer at the Oratory. It was very well organized. "Experience" always helps "fine tune" an event. My pork steaks were very good and the cold beer was welcome in the hot sun. It was good to see "the good guys" patrolling in their panama hats. We came at the end of the event and the most exciting place for my family was the game booths. The pig races were a hoot. My son loved fishing and sending that froggie!

This year's Summer at the Oratory was a great demonstration of the dynamic growth of the Oratory community. Many more people helped to prepare and to offer the wonderful auctions, games, food items etc. Thank you for your generosity and your perseverance. I heard that even a politician from the Capitol came to visit this Sunday.

What is old is new! Congratulations to Canon Wiener and Nick Botkins for successfully organizing and carrying out a lovely traditional Mass (with music) in Maple Mount Kentucky after six busy days of choir camp for the children choristers. It has been many years since a traditional mass has been celebrated at this location.

The Oratory deserves the Golden Brick! The work that has been done at the convent is outstanding. De Sales Community Housing acknowledges work that is significant for the whole community (even planting trees in a public space!) and the convent restoration is certainly meaningful in that regard. The Adorers of the Royal Heart, the Institute's feminine branch, bring countless spiritual blessings to St. Francis de Sales which is shown in the fact that the work at the convent has been done almost entirely by volunteers, on a pro bono basis.

My grandparents, Peter F. De Moor and Wilhilmena Koerper, met at the laying of the cornerstone in 1895. They were the first couple to be married in St. Augustine Church in 1897. Peter De Moor was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society which met at St. Francis de Sales. I sold papers at this magnificent Oratory about 1942. Best wishes on the renovation project.

I attended each day of the Triduum, and marvelled at how those sessions helped to make the whole Lenten-Eastertide experience internal. To hear the beautiful music in the context and atmosphere it was written for was marvelous.The Good Friday Liturgy with the mournful music was heart-rending. How could anyone attend and not be moved to the depths of their soul? I thank God for the privilege of praying at St. Francis de Sales. I only wish that I had a recording of some of that music to play at home and remember ---too bad I will have to wait until next year to hear it again!

I lived on Ohio Avenue as a young child in the early 1980's. I literally right next door to this church in an old brick shotgun house. Sadly the place where I lived is all boarded up and abandoned. I attended head start/pre-school at the first small building next to the gym and learned how to ride my bike in the schools parking lot. We called it the "big black top". I remember thinking it was a castle because it was so massive to look at. I went to this church many times as a young child and is where I learned most of my Catholic prayers. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I love that church. I hope it is there forever. I think I might just visit very soon. God Bless.

For Christmas, I bought my husband a copy of the standing desk calendar available from the Institute of Christ the King. I have never seen a calendar like it. Every page in color, it has photos that are not commonly available . January 9, shows a picture of Cardinal Silvio Oddi arriving in Gricigliano in the 1990s to offer Mass. Another page for January 11 has a rare snowstorm picture of the Institute seminary. Each page sports an added keepsake, a quote from one of the Institute's patron saints. January 10's quote from St. Francis de Sales is one that I will try to commit to memory because it has always been a favorite: "Be at Peace and put aside all anxiety. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it." This quote is a daily consolation!

It is amazing how many angels are in the Cathedral of the South side, St. Francis de Sales. There are angels on the altar rails, angels on the stations of the cross, angels on the ceilings, and angels in the stained glass windows. The best angels are the ones ( I count 33 of them in total) in the beautiful altar piece behind the altar. My favorites are cherub heads (8 of them) that are under the arch above the pointed roof of the tabernacle. They are a bit hidden and you must look hard for them from the communion rail. Any visitor to search them out will not be disappointed!

Last year we were present for Christmas Midnight Mass at St. Francis de Sales. The crib scene was so lovely and a welcome change from our west county parish, that has eliminated the creche in church for a much smaller version put in the vestibule where all the parishioners talk loudly after masses. This was sad for me and I was grateful to see SFdSales solemn reverence for the large crib at Midnight Mass. The best surprise was the great privilege all mass goers had in privately venerating the precious relic of the Holy Crib after mass. Christmas 2008 will be forever held dear to me also since the solemn high mass hosted StL Symphony Orchestra instrumentation during the stirringly sung Mozart Mass and carols . How could we feel any closer to heaven here on earth? (Too bad we had to wait during the half hour ride home before we could have our hot chocolate. )

We have been attending the Immaculate Conception Novena of masses and found it to be like a retreat. Thanks for selecting wonderful homilists during these nine days. The new little transcept organ really adds to the Advent liturgies as well as the litany processions.

We toured the Oratory a week ago. What a maginificent church! I can't believe they even thought of tearing it down at one point. It needs a lot of TLC to restore its original beauty though.

This is good news: These new members of the board bring competence and new ideas. I know that Canon Wiener made good friends of the Institute in the Bay Area. Let's all work together here in St. Louis to create another island of faith, liturgical solemnity and spiritual beauty. The Institute is awesome!

How exciting that His Highness has joined the board for the Oratory! At every turn, Our Lord is adding credibility & stability to the Oratory. The Holy Spirit is doing a great work of restoration and renewal...not only in our buildings but in our hearts as well! Not a day goes by that I don't pray for Canon Apple & give thanks for the Institute of Christ The King, Sovereign Priest. I can't wait for Sr. Rosalind Moss to finish her novitiate & start interviewing for her new order at St. George's, so that I can mov e to St. Louis & be a part of it all! Kendrick Glennon Seminary is FULL of seminarians in cassocks & birettas. God Bless all our nuns and all our little "Father O'Malleys!" St. Louis is well on its way to reclaiming the title "The Rome Of The West.' Laudator Jesus Christus!

My family members loved meeting Duke Paul of Oldenburg! He is such a credit to our Catholic Church. How wonderful he has found his true Heritage--- lost to his line for so many years. We are so happy to hear he is a new member of the St. Francis de Sales Oratory board.

I LOVE THE ORATORY!!!

I visited the Oratory for the first time August 4th-8th...WOW! I really love the Latin Mass (which I grew up with) and was impressed by it's celebration in the great beauty & total atmosphere of reverence! I cried at Mass almost every day whilst there. BTW - I had flown out from California to put my application in just down the road at St. George's Parish in Affton for Sr. Rosalind Moss's new religious order "THE DAUGHTERS OF MARY, MOTHER OF ISRAEL'S HOPE," which will start accepting applicants in June 2010. When I heard about Mother Marie & the nuns coming in, my own hope is that we will all be friends & fellow Sisters in Christ together. They also are a relatively new order, fully orthodox and faithful to the Magisterium. No "Sr. Social Justice with a picket sign" happening there! New beginnings..."I have come to set the world on fire...and how I wish that it were already ablaze!" See thee soon, St. Louis!

In the bulletin for October 11, 2009, there was an entry called the"Little Chronicles of the Sister Adorers at St. Francis de Sales Oratory." It was a delightful story to read; I only hope there will be more soon where that story comes from... Thank you so much!

My House will be called a House of Prayer. It is beautiful to see that, since the arrival of the Sister Marie of the Love of God, St. Francis de Sales Oratory has Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament daily at 5:00pm (6:30 pm on Thursday), which is accompanied for the whole month of October with the recitation of the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed. Vespers follows daily except Tuesday and Thursday. The Canons, Abbé Alex and the five candidates have also begun chanting Lauds at 7:00 am and Sext at noon. St. Francis de Sales Oratory is thus alive with prayer seven days a week. May God deign to send the funds to repair the tower so the bells can ring again to beckon the people to come join in these public prayers of the Church!

I would like to live in that convent too. It looks beautiful now!

The Mass of the External Solemnity of St. Louis of France was very uplifting, (especially the close contact with the relic of St. Louis, King of France).Thank you very much. Kudos to Mrs. Patricia Carr for all of her great helpful ideas. As wonderful as last year's weekend was -- this year's event had great family friendly improvements to it: so much going on -- the auction, games, booths ... something for everyone. The only "thank you" left is to heaven! We were gifted with lovely fall weather in what is traditionally one of the most hot and humid weekends of the whole year! Next year maybe we could add some strolling strings for even more musical variety. It looks like the Oratory is getting a great reputation for music these days. I'm sure it will be even more wonderful next year.

Hurray for the St. Francis de Sales Knights of Columbus! They worked very hard to make Summer at the Oratory so successful. We attended on Sunday and really enjoyed overwhelming hospitality. The food was great but the helpfulness and atmosphere was even better. Thank you. One of the highlights of our great day was to venerate the relic of our city's protector and namesake, St. Louis of France. I wonder if anywhere else in St. Louis this was done. Aren't we privileged? The organ concerts in the church on Sunday were exceptional. Thanks to everyone involved at St. Francis de Sales for such a wonderful weekend!

I have been there, it was really beautiful, both days were successful: perfect weather, many families and friends of the Oratory came. I was there with friends who hadn't been at a traditional Mass, ever. They were deeply impressed and loved the church architecture. Thank you to the Institute of Christ the King!

St. Francis de Sales will have a great impact on the religious, cultural and social life in this city. Its majestic architectural presence in the center of South St. Louis calls for a renewal of the liturgical practice of all of us. Who would not be effected by its beauty and grandeur.

On the feast of Our Lady's Assumption 3 new confirmands were added to St. Francis de Sale's Oratory. What a great day it was! We all look forward to another happy day when all the lights will be lit in the impressive tower, (pigeons will be gone), the clock will tell the correct time as the bell chimes once again and the Cathedral of South St. Louis will illuminate the St. Louis sky! Wouldn't it be great to have it all fixed for Christmas Midnight Mass? Can you sign the guest book more than once?

What a joy to see that in this city the Institute is producing the fruits of the Church's rich tradition. The arrival of the Adorers will generate again many spiritual gifts for all of us. Isn't it wonderful that these priests and religious are equipped so well - with not much more than their love for the truth and beauty of the liturgy and the teachings of their patron saints. St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis is the place to be when we want to understand how to live the truth in charity in the 21st century.

I am very happy that this historic church is in the care of the Institute of Christ the King. Many members of my family attended this church at one time and I am pleased beyond measure that the form of the Holy Mass which they knew is being celebrated there again. I pray daily for the success of the renovation project.

This is all extremely encouraging. The spirit of genuine Catholic AND American generosity and service bears fruit. We all are very grateful to God and to those who respond to His abundant graces. Hopefully there will be many photos of the work.

How important is it for this restoration project? (1) Steeple Tower: is a welcoming sign and draws the people to the church from a great distance by its visual profile, pointing upward toward the heavens. (2) Exterior: the church is the most important structure in the environment. The façade is often the most memorable part of the building. It tells us of the riches awaiting us inside. (3) Interior: everything leads to the sanctuary, the place in the church built especially for the altar of sacrifice. The sanctuary sets aside the holiest part of the church, God’s dwelling place. We must preserve our sacred churches. So many Catholic Churches are so uninspiring and fail to "raise the hearts and minds of man to God." The atmosphere created by the church building affects not only how we worship, but also what we believe. Ultimately, what we believe affects how we live our lives. We pray for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and for all involved in this project; and we look forward to its completion.

What a beautiful church, I've never been, but I hope to visit one day. I'm glad such a magnificent church is being used for its original intended purposes and not like so many in Europe where they've become more like museums. You guys are restoring the Catholic faith and traditions!