St. Francis de Sales served as Bishop of Geneva and is a saint of the Catholic Church. St. Francis de Sales became noted for his deep faith and his conciliatory approach to the religious divisions that plagued his time because of the Protestant Reformation. St. Francis de Sales is also known for writings on the topics of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the famous Introduction to the Devout Life and the less well-known Treatise on the Love of God. Who do you think is the most accomplished saint in the Catholic Church?
St. Francis de Sales Biography
St. Francis de Sales was born premature on 21 August 1567 in the Château de Sales into the noble Sales family of the Duchy of Savoy, France. His father was François de Sales, Lord of Sales, and Novel, and by marriage, de Boisy. His mother was a noblewoman, Françoise de Sionnaz, the only child of the prominent magistrate, Melchior de Sionnaz, Seigneur de Vallières, de la Thuile, and de Boisy.
In 1578, St. Francis de Sales went to the Collège de Clermont, then a Jesuit institution, to study rhetoric and humanities. On this first visit to Paris, he lived with his three cousins. In 1586, St. Francis de Sales attended a theological discussion about predestination that convinced him of his damnation to hell. A personal crisis of despair resulted. That conviction lasted through December 1586. He prayed hard and credited the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he consecrated himself, and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity.
In 1592, St. Francis de Sales received his doctorate in law and theology and made up his mind to become a priest. He was ordained in 1593. In 1599 he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Geneva. In 1602, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Henry IV of France to negotiate the restoration of Catholic worship in Gex, a part of the diocese that had been returned to France.
In 1602, Bishop Granier died, and St. Francis de Sales was consecrated Bishop of Geneva. St. Francis de Sales resided in Annecy, in France, because Geneva remained under Calvinist control and was therefore closed to him. His diocese became famous throughout Europe for its efficient organization, zealous clergy, and well-instructed laity, an achievement in those days.
Along with Jane Frances de Chantal (also a saint, and his friend), St. Francis de Sales founded the women’s Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines) in Annecy on June 6, 1610. In December 1622, he was required to travel in the entourage of the Duke of Savoy for the Duke’s Christmas tour. Upon arrival in Lyon, he chose to stay in the gardener’s hut at the Visitandine monastery in that city. While there, he suffered a stroke, from which he died on 28 December 1622.
De Sales was beatified in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII, who canonized him four years later. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877. Interestingly, his remains are interred at two different spots in France, and nuns from Lyon had to save them during the French Revolution. It is said that many miracles have been performed at his grave(s).
Conclusion
St. Francis de Sales may be the most accomplished Catholic of all time. He was a famous Bishop in his time, became a saint, and was declared a Doctor of the Catholic church. His book, Introduction to the Devout Life, is about as famous as he was and has sold millions of copies. His book is highly recommended. This is a saint worthy of emulation.
