Patron Saint of Catholic writers, the Catholic press, the deaf, journalists, adult education
Feast Day: January 24
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born and lived in the Kingdom of Savoy (a region near Geneva in Switzerland) during the period of the Reformation. From early childhood, Francis de Sales felt called to the priesthood but, in accordance with the desires of his father, in 1580 he enrolled at the University of Paris and gained a Doctorate in law from the University of Padua at the age of 24. All the while maintaining a quiet passion and patient devotion to God throughout his studies.
But Francis’s desire to enter into the priesthood did not go unfulfilled. One day while out riding, he fell from his horse three times, and each time his sword and scabbard fell into the shape of a Christian cross. Taking this as a sign to pursue his vocation in spite of the disapproval of his father, Francis was ordained to the priesthood and elected the provost of Geneva in 1593.
His life and ministry were devoted to preaching and teaching in the Calvinist territory surrounding Geneva. In his pursuit of sharing the Catholic faith, Francis de Sales encountered the slinging of rocks and the slamming of doors in response to his preaching. Yet he was not discouraged or deterred. He assembled pamphlets explaining Catholic doctrine and slid them under closed doors and, when the people would not listen to his ministry, he went to their children, playing with them with such gentleness that the hearts and the ears of the rest were opened. With his gentle patience and dedication to the truth, Francis is reported as being the catalyst for about forty thousand conversions.
After being consecrated as the bishop of Geneva in 1602, Francis continued his ministry to the Calvinists but embraced the importance of offering spiritual direction to his flock as a new facet of his mission. It was through the introduction of Jane de Chantal, a devout widow and mystic, into his life that he came to actualize his potential for sainthood as well as those of others.
Through the ministry of spiritual direction and engaging with the laity in the struggles of their daily lives, he called them to greater heights of holiness. It was Francis’s belief that the call to holiness was not something that was restricted to the clergy or religious, but rather it was a common call to all people.
The key to discovering the overwhelming joy and love of a relationship with God according to Francis is deeply rooted in constantly calling oneself to prayer before Him. Francis shines light on the call to holiness in everyday life by revealing that God can be found in all moments of everyday life when we welcome Him into the joys, the sorrows, and the uncertainty.
WE ARE ALL CALLED TO HOLINESS!
Throughout his life, Francis de Sales’ fidelity to God and his trusting patience allowed him to not only achieve holiness himself, but also to call others to that same holiness in relationship with Christ. So, as we go about our day, let us pray that we may all strive to allow God’s love and joy to fill every moment of our day. Through the intercession of St. Francis De Sales, we pray:
Lord Jesus, Give me the grace to perform this action with you and through love for you. I offer to you all the good that I may do and accept all the difficulty I may meet therein. Amen.
St. Francis De Sales. Pray for Us.
SAINT OF THE ISSUE: SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES
JULIA A. DANEHY
Patron Saint of Catholic writers, the Catholic press, the deaf, journalists, adult education
Feast Day: January 24
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was born and lived in the Kingdom of Savoy (a region near Geneva in Switzerland) during the period of the Reformation. From early childhood, Francis de Sales felt called to the priesthood but, in accordance with the desires of his father, in 1580 he enrolled at the University of Paris and gained a Doctorate in law from the University of Padua at the age of 24. All the while maintaining a quiet passion and patient devotion to God throughout his studies.
But Francis’s desire to enter into the priesthood did not go unfulfilled. One day while out riding, he fell from his horse three times, and each time his sword and scabbard fell into the shape of a Christian cross. Taking this as a sign to pursue his vocation in spite of the disapproval of his father, Francis was ordained to the priesthood and elected the provost of Geneva in 1593.
His life and ministry were devoted to preaching and teaching in the Calvinist territory surrounding Geneva. In his pursuit of sharing the Catholic faith, Francis de Sales encountered the slinging of rocks and the slamming of doors in response to his preaching. Yet he was not discouraged or deterred. He assembled pamphlets explaining Catholic doctrine and slid them under closed doors and, when the people would not listen to his ministry, he went to their children, playing with them with such gentleness that the hearts and the ears of the rest were opened. With his gentle patience and dedication to the truth, Francis is reported as being the catalyst for about forty thousand conversions.
After being consecrated as the bishop of Geneva in 1602, Francis continued his ministry to the Calvinists but embraced the importance of offering spiritual direction to his flock as a new facet of his mission. It was through the introduction of Jane de Chantal, a devout widow and mystic, into his life that he came to actualize his potential for sainthood as well as those of others.
Through the ministry of spiritual direction and engaging with the laity in the struggles of their daily lives, he called them to greater heights of holiness. It was Francis’s belief that the call to holiness was not something that was restricted to the clergy or religious, but rather it was a common call to all people.
The key to discovering the overwhelming joy and love of a relationship with God according to Francis is deeply rooted in constantly calling oneself to prayer before Him. Francis shines light on the call to holiness in everyday life by revealing that God can be found in all moments of everyday life when we welcome Him into the joys, the sorrows, and the uncertainty.
WE ARE ALL CALLED TO HOLINESS!
Throughout his life, Francis de Sales’ fidelity to God and his trusting patience allowed him to not only achieve holiness himself, but also to call others to that same holiness in relationship with Christ. So, as we go about our day, let us pray that we may all strive to allow God’s love and joy to fill every moment of our day. Through the intercession of St. Francis De Sales, we pray:
Lord Jesus, Give me the grace to perform this action with you and through love for you. I offer to you all the good that I may do and accept all the difficulty I may meet therein. Amen.
St. Francis De Sales. Pray for Us.
Julia Danehy is a Sophomore in the William F. Connell School of Nursing a hop, skip, and a jump away from her home town of Fort Myers, FL. With the variety of her interests spanning about a million miles long, in her spare time she can be found exploring history, painting, spending time outdoors, whipping up some form of baked good, or reading anything to do with The Theology of the Body/philosophy in general.
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