St. Francis de Sales, our patron saint, was one of the outstanding leaders of the Counter-reformation, noted for his intellect and wisdom. A prominent confessor and preacher, his theological knowledge and understanding were impressive. At one time he was confessor of Blessed Marie Acarie in Paris. Two of St. Francis' writings, Introduction to the devout life (1609) and Treatise on the Love of God (1616) stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life, have become spiritual classics.
St. Francis was born at Thorens, Savoy on August 21, 1567, in the family castle, Chateau de Sales. He was baptized in the parish church of Thorens under the name Francis Bonaventure. His patron saint was "Paverello" of Assisi.
St. Francis studied at Annecy and the Jesuit College of Clermont in Paris, 1580-88, going on to study law and theology at the University of Padua, receiving his doctorate in law at the age of 24. Giving up prospects for a brilliant secular career and an offer of a senatorship, St. Francis entered the religious life, with much opposition from his family. He was ordained in 1593 and was appointed provost of Geneva. He spent the next 5 years as a missionary in the Chablais, where residents were resisting the efforts of the Duke of Savoy to impose Catholicism on them by military force. During this missionary period, he was repeatedly attacked by assassins and mobs of Calvinists, but, through it all, he was successful in getting thousands back to Catholicism and making many new converts.
St. Francis was named coadjutor to the Bishop of Geneva in 1599 and succeeded to the See in 1602. he founded schools, taught catechetics, and governed his diocese ably and well. In 1604, St. Francis became the spiritual advisor of Frances de Chantal, and with her, in 1610, founded the Order of the Visitation (the Visitandines). St. Francis died on December 28, 1622, in Lyons, France. He is buried in Annecy, laid in a tomb near the high altar in the Forst Concwent of the Visitation.
St. Francis was beatified by Pope Alexander VII in 1661, the first formal beatification held in St. Peter's. He was solemnly canonized in 1665 by the same pope and his feast day is fixed as January 29. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877 by Pope Pius IX and designated patron saint of the Catholic press on January 24, 1923. May St. Francis de Sales continue to watch over our parish for all time.
Prayer for the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish
God of love, our strenths and protection, hear the prayers of your Church. Grant that when we come to you in faith, our prayers may be ansered, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, Pray for us.