Francis de Sales (1567–1622)

Biography

He was born in Savoy in 1567. He was educated in Annecy, Paris and Padua. In 1593 he was ordained a priest. Spend long hours in prayer. "Souls are won with the knees," he confessed. He slowly attends the confessional, preaches, assists all those in need. His apostolic zeal knew no bounds. The conversion of more than sixty thousand Calvinists is due to him. In 1603 he was consecrated Bishop. He multiplied his apostolic task: catechesis, preaching, diocesan Synods. He was Titular Bishop of Geneva. One day Henry IV, king of France, offered him a rich bishopric. Francisco answered: "I have married a poor woman. I cannot leave her for another richer woman." One of his most fruitful apostolates was that of the pen. "Treaty on the Love of God." "The art of taking advantage of our faults." "Cards". "Controversies." And perhaps his best book, of perennial relevance, "Introduction to the Devout Life", which includes a series of norms to sanctify oneself in the world. On his way, Francis met an exceptional soul, Saint Joan of Chantal. A deep friendship arose between the two, a typical example of emotional balance between two souls walking towards God. Together they founded the Order of the Visitation, which soon achieved excellent results. His life was very intense. In Paris he met Vincent de Paul, who would later say: "How good God will be, when there is so much softness in Francis!" "Saints are those who kept all the aggressiveness to themselves," it is often said. That was Francisco, demanding of himself, and an example of moderation and balance for others. He is the saint of sweetness, the apostle of kindness. "The sweetest of men, and the kindest of saints," despite his strong temper. It is said that during the autopsy, they found his liver hardened like a stone, explainable by the violence committed by that man of strong character, who was all delicacy and softness in his treatment. "In the most serious matters he poured out words of cordial affability, he listened to everyone peacefully, always sweet and humble," says the Co-Founder, who knew him well. The influence of Saint Francis de Sales on spirituality has been enormous. When Saint John Bosco looked for a protector for his religious family he found it in him, and that is why his work is called Salesian. He died on December 28, 1622, at the age of 56. His remains rest in Annecy, France, in the Monastery of the Visitation.