Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church



feast day: January 24 

patron saint of: journalists, writers

about:
- Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of the Universal Church
- born: 21 August 1567 - Château de Sales, Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
- died: 28 December 1622 (aged 55) - Lyon, Lyonnais, Kingdom of France
- native name: François de Sales 
- motto: NON-EXCIDET 
What we Christians need in our spiritual life is what St. Francis de Sales reduced to two words in a motto he chose for himself as a youth: NON EXCIDET. They are words of determination. “I will not fall away from my original purpose”…would be a fuller translation, or “I will not fall down on the job.”  “I will not lose courage.”  Francis was faithful to his chosen motto. He stuck to his books and to the practice of virtue. As a result he became very learned and very close to God or “sanctified”…"made holy” as a result of his industry and pertinacity (his “stick-to-it” quality).
- attributes: Heart of Jesus, Crown of Thorns
- shrines: Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France
- founded the women's Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines) in Annecy on 6 June 1610 along with St. Jane Frances de Chantal but was unsuccessful
- religious institutions associated with St. Francis de Sales:
  • The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (M.S.F.S.), founded by the Abbé Pierre Mermier in 1830, were the first congregation to adopt his spirituality in the 19th century.
  • The religious institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (S.D.B.), founded by St. John Bosco in 1859 (approved by the Holy See in 1874), was originally named the Society of St. Francis de Sales, and was placed under his patronage.
  • The Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.) were founded by St. Léonie Aviat and the Blessed Louis Brisson, under the spiritual guidance of the Venerable Marie de Sales Chappuis, V.H.M., in 1866.
  • The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.) were later founded by Brisson for men, also under the guidance of Mother Marie de Sales, in 1875.
  • The Paulist Fathers in the United States count him as one of their patrons.

quotes:
-  for more quotes, please visit this link: https://www.oblates.org/dss/francis/thoughts.php

  • The key to love of God was prayer. "By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God. Begin all your prayers in the presence of God."
  • "Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself."
  • "Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others and talk to God." 
  • "The person who possesses Christian meekness is affectionate and tender towards everyone: he is disposed to forgive and excuse the frailties of others; the goodness of his heart appears in a sweet affability that influences his words and actions, presents every object to his view in the most charitable and pleasing light."
  • "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."
  • "Charity and devotion are no more different from one another than flame from fire. Charity is a spiritual fire; when it is embraced it is called "devotion"."
  • "Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs."
  •  "I recommend that you look before you but not dwell upon those dangers which you see in the distance."
  • "Not only is God always in the place where you are, but God is in a very special manner in the depths of your spirit."

links/ sources:
- (source: Oblates of St. Francis de Sales - Spirituality):
https://www.oblates.org/dss/sundays_salesian/2003_06_01b.php
- "St. Francis de Sales" (source: Catholic Online):
   http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=51 
- "St. Francis de Sales" (source: American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1270
- "St. Francis de Sales" (source: Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06220a.htm
IMAGE LINKS: ,