Brisson's founding of the congregations stemmed from his desire to improve the working conditions of middle-class girls and to ensure their protection and the promotion of their faith.

[1] He received his initial education at home from his parents and the local priest and while being schooled from 1823-31 became interested in the natural sciences.

[1] In 1858, Bishop Pierre-Louis Coeur appointed Brisson diocesan director of the Catholic Association, intended to defend and spread the faith in Christian countries.

[3] Chappuis was convinced that Brisson would be the priest to establish a religious order of men in the spirit of Francis de Sales.

In addition to his activities as a priest he served as a teacher to seminarians and continued his interest in natural sciences; this passion saw him construct an astronomical clock used at the motherhouse of the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales.

[5] In 1866 he co-founded (alongside Léonie Aviat) the Oblate Sisters of Saint Francis de Sales to provide for their education;[6] and in August 1875 established the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales for priests and religious brothers performing similar apostolate work.

The Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales transferred their General House near Rome but Brisson returned to his birthplace.

Léonie Aviat learned of his dire condition from her fellow religious and rushed to his bedside after receiving a formal telegram.