DSU Celebrates Feast of St. Francis de Sales
The DeSales community celebrated the feast of its patron saint with a message of open-mindedness during a special online Mass.
“We’re inaugurating this new semester, and here we are celebrating the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales to give us the impetus we need to be women and men who are gentle and humble,” said Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84, president of DeSales.
Father Ken McKenna, OSFS, a former University trustee and director of DeSales Center, provided a pre-recorded homily and preached the Gospel in American Sign Language. He encouraged viewers to heed the words of Jesus and to imitate the example of St. Francis de Sales.
“I signed the Gospel today not only for any deaf viewers, but to remind us that Saint Francis de Sales is patron saint of the deaf.”
“He received that honor because he refused to listen to the small minds in his party who told him not to hire Martin, a deaf man, because the guy would just be too much trouble” Fr. McKenna said. "And after hiring him, St. Francis refused to listen to the small minds that said deaf people could never learn the faith, never understand enough to receive Holy Communion.”
Joe Freemont, executive president of the Student Government Association, and Dr. Dennis Varley, director of liturgical music, provided the music, while members of the University’s leadership team offered readings and prayers.
