Saint Francis de Sales

St. Francis de Sales

Also known as: Francis of Sales; Gentle Christ of Geneva; the Gentleman Saint

Memorial: January 24th

Profile:
Born in a castle to a well-placed family, his parents intended that he become a lawyer, enter politics, and carry on the family line and power. Studied at La Roche, Annecy, Clermont College in Paris, and law at the University of Padua. Doctor of Law. He returned home, and found a position as Senate advocate.

It was at this point that he received a message telling him to “Leave all and follow Me.” He took this as a call to the priesthood, a move his family fiercely opposed. However, he pursued a devoted prayer life, and his gentle ways won over the family.

Priest. Provost of the diocese of Geneva, Switzerland, a stronghold of Calvinists. Preacher, writer and spiritual director in the district of Chablais. His simple, clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, and his gentle way with everyone, brought many back to the Roman Church.

Bishop of Geneva at age 35. Travelled and evangelized throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could. Friend of Saint Vincent de Paul. Turned down a wealthy French bishopric. Helped found the Order of the Visitation with Saint Jeanne de Chantal. Prolific correspondent. Doctor of the Church.

Born: 1567 at Chateau of Thorens, Savoy

Died: 28 December 1622 at Lyons; buried at Annecy

Beatified: 8 January 1662 by Pope Alexander VII

Canonized: 19 April 1665 by Pope Alexander VII

Patronage:
authors; diocese of Baker, Oregon; archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio; Catholic press; diocese of Columbus, Ohio; confessors; deaf people; deafness; diocese of Wilmington Delaware; educators; journalists; teachers; writers

Prayers:

Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales

O love eternal,
my soul needs and chooses you eternally!
Ah, come Holy Spirit,
and inflame our hearts with your love!
To love — or to die!
To die — and to love!
To die to all other love
in order to live in Jesus’ love,
so that we may not die eternally.
But that we may live in your eternal love,
O Savior of our souls,
we eternally sing,
“Live, Jesus!
Jesus, I love!
Live, Jesus, whom I love!
Jesus, I love,
Jesus who lives and reigns
forever and ever.
AMEN

from “Treatise on the Love of God”

Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales

Lord, I am yours,
and I must belong to no one but you.
My soul is yours,
and must live only by you.
My will is yours,
and must love only for you.
I must love you as my first cause,
since I am from you.
I must love you as my end and rest,
since I am for you.
I must love you more than my own being,
since my being subsists by you.
I must love you more than myself,
since I am all yours and all in you.
AMEN.

from “Treatise on the Love of God”

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