Jean-François Régis was born in Font-Couverte, France, on 31 January 1597.

While still a boy he immediately showed great love for study and religion, so he was introduced to the Jesuit college of Bezieres. After a short period he went to Toulouse to begin his novitiate.

From there he was sent to Cahors, where he took his first vows and then to Dillon. After three years he went to Tournon to study philosophy and again to Toulouse for theology. After receiving holy orders, he devoted himself to caring for plague victims.

Once the contagion had ceased, Francis began his missions among the poor in the countryside, which later became his specific apostolate. He thus traveled, preaching, almost half of France. Ever more ill, one day he still wanted to go on a mission; struck by fever, he dragged himself to his destination: it was December 24.

He died on December 31, 1640. He was canonized by Clement XII on April 5, 1737.