Carved statues of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal are on the righthand wall of the main Church. In order to better understand these carvings, please see the following information:

St. Francis de Sales (1557 – 1622):

This statue is based on the only portrait painted of St. Francis during his life. He is depicted in a turquoise cassock, the color of a “working” cassock of the times instead of the usual red. He holds a copy of his most famous book, the “Introduction to the Devout Life” which offers practical, real-life ways for people from all walks of life to live a spiritual or “devout” life. The pectoral cross has no corpus of Jesus attached to it. Instead, St. Francis hoped that all people should “Live Jesus” so as to affix their own body to the cross. The Oblates also wear the same cross.

St. Jane de Chantal (1572 – 1641):

This statue depicts St. Jane in the habit of the Sisters of the Visitation which she co-founded with St. Francis. Before becoming a nun, St. Jane was a widow and mother of six. She became a close spiritual friend of St. Francis and wears the same pectoral cross. He was also her spiritual director. St. Francis hoped that she would have the name of Jesus “engraved on her heart.” The statue shows St. Jane holding her heart on which is written “Jesus.” Her life demonstrated that she had accomplished this hope.

Sunburst with “VJ”:

It means “Vive Jesu” or “Live Jesus.” It was a phrase used extensively by St. Francis and St. Jane in their writings and is an excellent brief summary of their shared and lived spirituality. Both of the statues’ hands point to the VJ; urging the viewer to let the life and love of Christ be the reason for and summation of their lives

May our celebration of these two Saints help us to live in the present moment where God’s grace is always found.

DeSales Weekly — Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (squarespace.com)

Dare County Weather Policy

The Church will be closed and all activities canceled if a LOCAL State of Emergency is declared by Dare County or the Town of Kitty Hawk that includes mandatory evacuations or restrictions or prohibitions on travel in Kitty Hawk. Never put yourself at risk of accident or physical harm to come to Church in dangerous conditions, even if a delay or emergency has not been announced. We have been assured by the Diocese of Raleigh that the Catholic faithful are not obligated to attend Mass when prevented by unsafe travel conditions.

Since our new inclement weather policy governing closures and cancellations will now be tied to County and Municipality States of Emergency, we urge all parishioners to sign up for County Alerts.