Venerable Mary de Sales Chappuis, VHM, co-foundress of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, was born in Soyhieres, Switzerland in 1793.  At the age of twelve he had been sent to the Visitation Monastery in Fribourg as a boarding student, and entered that community at the age of twenty-two.  When she became superior at the Monastery at Troyes, it soon became evident that she not only had great gifts as an administrator, but also great spiritual gifts.  For the rest of her life she was alternately either Superior or Mistress of Novices at various Visitation Monasteries.  In 1844, when she returned to Troyes from Paris, she again became Superior of this monastery.  The monastery now had a young diocesan priest as its chaplain by the name of Fr. Louis Brisson.
The relationship between Mother Chappuis and Father Brisson could not have been more different than between Saints Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal.  In this relationship the “Good Mother” was clearly the innovator and leader.  Immediately upon her return from Paris, Chappuis began hinting to Fr. Brisson of some great work that he would do for Christ.  “What you are doing is of course very good, but what you are going to do will have much greater results.”  One day she finally told him directly that he was to found a society of priests under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales which will work for the same aims Francis held.  Fr. Brisson was reluctant but gave in to her wishes – and indeed the will of God.

To the end Mother Chappuis advised, strengthened and directed Fr. Brisson in his foundation of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.  She died on October 7, 1785.