Spotlight On A Saint: St. Francis De Sales

Published: October 16, 2003

Francis was born in the family castle at Thorens, Savoy, an historical region in southeastern France and northwestern Italy around Lake Geneva, on Aug. 21, 1567.

Studying law and theology at the University of Padua, Italy, he received his doctorate in law when he was only 24.

Despite the opposition of his family and the offer of a senatorship, he abandoned his prospects for a successful secular career for religious life, and was ordained a priest in 1593.

His Contribution To The Church

After his ordination, Francis spent the next five years as a missionary in the Chablais district of Geneva, a Calvinist stronghold, where residents were fiercely resisting the efforts of the duke of Savoy to impose Catholicism on them by military force.

Despite repeated attacks on him by assassins and mobs of Calvinists, Francis attracted thousands back to Catholicism and made new converts by his preaching.

He was named coadjutor bishop of Geneva in 1599 and succeeded to the See in 1602 and soon became one of the outstanding leaders of the Counter-Reformation, noted for his intellect and wisdom.

A confessor, preacher and teacher, his theological knowledge impressed many. He was a friend of St. Vincent de Paul.

In 1610, he, along with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, a widow, founded the Order of the Visitation.

Two of his writings, “Introduction to the Devout Life,” and “Treatise on the Love of God,” have become spiritual classics and are still widely known today. They stress that sanctity is possible in everyday life.

Francis died on Dec. 28, 1622 and his beatification ceremony was the first formal beatification held in St. Peter’s in Rome. He was canonized in 1665 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877.

How He Can Help You

St. Francis is the patron saint of journalists and specifically of the Catholic press. In honor of the introduction of the Youth Board in this month’s issue, please ask St. Francis for wisdom for all our young writers.

Quotable St. Francis de Sales

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them--every day begin the task anew.”

On the Eucharist

“When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”