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January 24
St. Francis de Sales
(1567-1622)
Francis was
destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take
his elder’s place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this
reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate,
he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the
priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much
patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally
consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva,
then a center for the Calvinists. Francis set out to
convert them, especially in the district of Chablais.
By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true
Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success.
At 35 he
became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to
preach, hear confessions and catechize the children. His gentle character was a
great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A
spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”
Besides his
two well-known books, the Introduction
to the Devout Life and A
Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a
vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic
Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are
addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are
called to be saints. As he wrote in The
Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy,
to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a
prince, or a married woman.... It has happened that many have lost perfection
in the desert who had preserved it in the world. ”
In spite of
his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another
saint, Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12), in the work of establishing the
Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified
in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety and mutual charity. They at first
engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today,
while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative
life.
Comment:
Francis de Sales took seriously
the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20
years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a
problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of
acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of
“Gentleman Saint.”
Quote:
Francis de Sales tells us: “The
person who possesses Christian meekness is affectionate and tender towards
everyone: he is disposed to forgive and excuse the frailties of others; the
goodness of his heart appears in a sweet affability that influences his words
and actions, presents every object to his view in the most charitable and
pleasing light.”
Patron
Saint of:
Authors
Deafness
Journalists
Writers
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