St. Francis de Sales - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online St. Francis de Sales Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Facts Patron Saint of Journalists, Writers Birth: 1567 Take the Saints Trivia Quiz now! Born in France in 1567, Francis was a patient man. He knew for thirteen years that he had a vocation to the priesthood before he mentioned it to his family. When his father said that he wanted Francis to be a soldier and sent him to Paris to study, Francis said nothing. Then when he went to Padua to get a doctorate in law, he still kept quiet, but he studied theology and practiced mental prayer while getting into swordfights and going to parties. Even when his bishop told him if he wanted to be a priest that he thought that he would have a miter waiting for him someday, Francis uttered not a word. Why did Francis wait so long? Throughout his life he waited for God's will to be clear. He never wanted to push his wishes on God, to the point where most of us would have been afraid that God would give up! God finally made God's will clear to Francis while he was riding. Francis fell from his horse three times.

Every time he fell the sword came out of the scabbard. Every time it came out the sword and scabbard came to rest on the ground in the shape of the cross. And then, Francis, without knowing about it, was appointed provost of his diocese, second in rank to the bishop. Perhaps he was wise to wait, for he wasn't a natural pastor. His biggest concern on being ordained that he had to have his lovely curly gold hair cut off. And his preaching left the listeners thinking he was making fun of him. Others reported to the bishop that this noble-turned- priest was conceited and controlling. Then Francis had a bad idea -- at least that's what everyone else thought. This was during the time of the Protestant reformation and just over the mountains from where Francis lived was Switzerland -- Calvinist territory. Francis decided that he should lead an expedition to convert the 60,000 Calvinists back to Catholicism. But by the time he left his expedition consisted of himself and his cousin. His father refused to give him any aid for this crazy plan and the diocese was too poor to support him.

For three years, he trudged through the countryside, had doors slammed in his face and rocks thrown at him. In the bitter winters, his feet froze so badly they bled as he tramped through the snow. He slept in haylofts if he could, but once he slept in a tree to avoid wolves. He tied himself to a branch to keep from falling out and was so frozen the next morning he had to be cut down. And after three years, his cousin had left him alone and he had not made one convert. Francis' unusual patience kept him working. No one would listen to him, no one would even open their door. So Francis found a way to get under the door. He wrote out his sermons, copied them by hand, and slipped them under the doors. This is the first record we have of religious tracts being used to communicate with people. The parents wouldn't come to him out of fear. So Francis went to the children. When the parents saw how kind he was as he played with the children, they began to talk to him. By the time, Francis left to go home he is said to have converted 40,000 people back to Catholicism.

In 1602 he was made bishop of the diocese of Geneva, in Calvinist territory. He only set foot in the city of Geneva twice -- once when the Pope sent him to try to convert Calvin's successor, Beza, and another when he traveled through it. It was in 1604 that Francis took one of the most important steps in his life, the step toward holiness and mystical union with God. In Dijon that year Francis saw a widow listening closely to his sermon -- a woman he had seen already in a dream. Jane de Chantal was a person on her own, as Francis was, but it was only when they became friends that they began to become saints. Jane wanted him to take over her spiritual direction, but, not surprisingly, Francis wanted to wait. "I had to know fully what God himself wanted. I had to be sure that everything in this should be done as though his hand had done it." Jane was on a path to mystical union with God and, in directing her, Francis was compelled to follow her and become a mystic himself. Three years after working with Jane, he finally made up his mind to form a new religious order.

But where would they get a convent for their contemplative Visitation nuns? A man came to Francis without knowing of his plans and told him he was thinking of donating a place for use by pious women. In his typical way of not pushing God, Francis said nothing. When the man brought it up again, Francis still kept quiet, telling Jane, "God will be with us if he approves." Finally the man offered Francis the convent. Francis was overworked and often ill because of his constant load of preaching, visiting, and instruction -- even catechizing a deaf man so he could take first Communion. He believed the first duty of a bishop was spiritual direction and wrote to Jane, "So many have come to me that I might serve them, leaving me no time to think of myself. However, I assure you that I do feel deep-down- within-me, God be praised. For the truth is that this kind of work is infinitely profitable to me." For him active work did not weaken his spiritual inner peace but strengthened it. He directed most people through letters, which tested his remarkable patience. "I have more than fifty letters to answer. If I tried to hurry over it all, i would be lost.

So I intend neither to hurry or to worry. This evening, I shall answer as many as I can. Tomorrow I shall do the same and so I shall go on until I have finished." At that time, the way of holiness was only for monks and nuns -- not for ordinary people. Francis changed all that by giving spiritual direction to lay people living ordinary lives in the world. But he had proven with his own life that people could grow in holiness while involved in a very active occupation. Why couldn't others do the same? His most famous book, INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE, was written for these ordinary people in 1608. Written originally as letters, it became an instant success all over Europe -- though some preachers tore it up because he tolerated dancing and jokes! For Francis, the love of God was like romantic love. He said, "The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it, and their mouths full of its praises. When it is gone they express their feelings in letters, and can't pass by a tree without carving the name of their beloved in its bark.

Thus too those who love God can never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring to him, and speaking about him. If they could, they would engrave the name of Jesus on the hearts of all humankind." 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." For busy people of the world, he advised "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 test of prayer was a person's actions: "To be an angel in prayer and a beast in one's relations with people is to go lame on both legs." He believed the worst sin was to judge someone or to gossip about them. Even if we say we do it out of love we're still doing it to look better ourselves. But we should be as gentle and forgiving with ourselves as we should be with others. As he became older and more ill he said, "I have to drive myself but the more I try the slower I go." He wanted to be a hermit but he was more in demand than ever.

The Pope needed him, then a princess, then Louis XIII. "Now I really feel that I am only attached to the earth by one foot..." He died on December 28, 1622, after giving a nun his last word of advice: "Humility." He is patron saint of journalists because of the tracts and books he wrote. Image : Saint Francis de Sales | Francisco Bayeu y Subias. Saint Francis de Sales Saint of the Day for January 24 (August 21, 1567 – December 28, 1622) Saint Francis de Sales’ Story Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder’s place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for the Calvinists.

Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success. At 35, he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions, and catechize the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman…. It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world.

” In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety, and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life. Reflection Francis de Sales took seriously the words of Christ, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.” As he said himself, it took him 20 years to conquer his quick temper, but no one ever suspected he had such a problem, so overflowing with good nature and kindness was his usual manner of acting. His perennial meekness and sunny disposition won for him the title of “Gentleman Saint.” Saint Francis de Sales is the Patron Saint of: Authors St. Francis de Sales and the Deaf - CatholicMom.com - Celebrating Catholic Motherhood You are at: Home » Articles from Our Contributors »St. Francis de Sales and the Deaf St.

Francis de Sales and the Deaf Articles from Our Contributors , Faith Resources On January 24, we celebrated the feast of St. Francis de Sales, a very holy and amazing intercessor. The list of his patronage is long, however it does not include – as my husband’s horrible attempt at being funny suggested, that he is the patron of shopping (Get it? ‘de sales’… groan). Though he does have quite a few other topics associated to him including authors, writers, and journalists, as well as media due to his incredible forward thinking in his work to evangelize France with pamphlets. One title especially close to my heart is his title Patron of the Deaf. As I have shared before, my beautiful daughter Faith, now 8, was adopted from China when she was just about four years old, and is profoundly deaf. I first learned of St. Francis’ connection to the Deaf while at a conference the year before I adopted my daughter. I met the wonderful Brothers (and one Father) of the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales from Pennsylvania. The Brothers were selling cards featuring the gorgeous artwork of their fellow Oblate Brother, Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS.

They were the ones that introduced me to Martin, a “poor deaf mute” who St. Francis de Sales helped teach the faith through a signing system they created together. That St. Francis did whatever was necessary to make the Sacraments available to this young man engulfs my heart, as I have encountered a similar experience as I teach my daughter the faith through the use of American Sign Language. Here is an account of their sharing of faith together as told in The Spirit of St Francis de Sales by the Curé of Saint Sulpice: When he [Martin] desired to go to confession, he would enter the bishop’s [St. Francis’] room, lead him into the chapel, make a motion to all who happened to be there to leave and then close all the doors and window; finally he would kneel down and by signs tell what he had done wrong, all the time weeping and striking his breast. The saintly confessor would mingle his tears with those of his penitent and exhort him by signs to lead a holy life and to have confidence in God. St. Francis’ heart for the Deaf has certainly followed him into heaven.

This summer while traveling with Boston Deaf Apostolate during World Youth Day, I had the great blessing of seeing that firsthand. Traveling with us was a sweet teenage boy who is deaf and autistic. He had only one desire since arriving in Rio – securing a HUGE Brazilian flag that he could wrap around himself. He tried unsuccessfully for several days to trade our rubber wrist bands for one. One morning I remembered I had brought a pack of Don Bosco playing cards for our trip. I grabbed them out and brought them over to this young man, told him all about Don Bosco, shared my idea to try to use them to barter, and told him I’d prayed that the cards would bring him better luck in securing his longed-for flag. After the morning catechesis session, he set out for lunch with several other pilgrims in our group. I was tired of being wet and cold and choose to stay behind and eat lunch in the Vivo Rio. At 3 o’clock they all came rushing in, with my little friend at the front of the pack, WRAPPED IN THE BRAZILIAN FLAG!!! The cards had worked! Well, really, St. John Bosco’s intercession had worked – or was it Don Bosco?

The Patron Saint of the Deaf – St. Francis de Sale, also just happens to be the inspiration for Don Bosco’s order… The Salesians! We truly are living among the communion of Saints! Copyright 2014 Allison Gingras Patron Saint Patron Saint of: authors, deaf, journalists, writers Francis' family was one of society in Savoy, France. As was expected, Francis received only the best education that money could buy in Paris and Padua; however, Francis secretly learned theology and was quick to exchange the lifestyle of society for that of the priesthood. In 1602 he was appointed Bishop of Geneva and was offered the position of Bishop of Paris, which he respectfully declined. Francis numbered among his closest friends Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Philip Neri, and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. Together with Saint Jane, Francis founded the Order of the Visitation. Most notable of Francis' works was the "Introduction To A Devout Life" and "Treastise On The Love of God". As Francis was nearing death he suffered greatly.

In an attempt to bring him out of a coma, well meaning but obviously misguided doctors pressed hot irons to his head so forcefully that the irons burned through the flesh and left a scar on his skull. Just prior to his death, a nun asked Francis to write about the virtue he most desired; Saint Francis wrote one word: "Humility". Francis died at the age of 56. Saint Francis de Sales was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877. Saint John Bosco was so impressed by Saint Francis de Sales that he named a religious order after him - The Salesians.

Patron Saints: D - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Saints & Angels Showing 1 - 175 of 175 Patronage Jude , Gregory the Wonderworker, Rita of Cascia , Eustace Detraction Benignus of Dijon, Urban of Langres Diocesan priests Beuno , Erhard of Regensburg, Roch , Sebastian Diseases of the eye Antony the Abbot, Gerlac of Valkenburg Domestic workers Erasmus (Elmo) , Michael death of children diocese of Albany, New York, USA Immaculate Conception of Mary diocese of Austin, Texas, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Camden, New Jersey, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, USA Our Lady of the Holy Rosary diocese of Elphia diocese of Fargo, North Dakota, USA Assumption of the Virgin Mary diocese of Ferns, Ireland diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, USA Our Lady of Mount Carmel diocese of Grand

 Island, Nebraska, USA diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Our Lady fo Peace diocese of Jerez de la Frontera John Grande diocese of Lafayette, Indiana, USA Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Bethlehem, Charles Borromeo diocese of Nashville, Tennessee, USA diocese of Oakland, California, USA Our Lady, Queen of the World diocese of Ogdensburg, New York, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky, USA Stephen the Martyr diocese of Peoria, Illinois, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Providence, Paul, Apostle , Peter the Apostle diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, USA Immaculate Conception of Mary, Therese of Lisieux diocese of Regensburg, Germany diocese of Reno, Nevada, USA Our Lady of the Snows diocese of Reno, Nevada, USA diocese of Rockford, Illinois, USA Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Francis of Assisi diocese of San Bernardino, California, USA diocese of San Diego, California, USA Diego John the Baptist , Our Lady of Perpetual Help diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania

, USA diocese of Spokane, Washington, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Steubenville, Ohio, USA Immaculate Heart of Mary diocese of Syracuse, New York, USA Immaculate Conception diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Holy Family diocese of Tyler, Texas, USA Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Mercy, Mark the Evangelist diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, USA diocese of Wichita, Kansas, USA Immaculate Conception Louis IX , Nativity of the Blessed Virgin divorced people Hubert of Liege, Vitus , Walburga , Ubald dogs; dog lovers; dog fanciers Hubert of Liege, Roch , Vitus domestic workers, maids, butlers, manservants, servants Nativity of the Blessed Virgin drug addiction Lydia Purpuraria , Maurice dying people, invoked by Z What is a patron saint?

Patron saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over areas of life. These areas can include occupations, illnesses, churches, countries, causes -- anything that is important to us. The earliest records show that people and churches were named after apostles and martyrs as early as the fourth century. Recently, the popes have named patron saints but patrons can be chosen by other individuals or groups as well. Patron saints are often chosen today because an interest, talent, or event in their lives overlaps with the special area. Angels can also be named as patron saints. A patron saint can help us when we follow the example of that saint's life and when we ask for that saint's intercessory prayers to God. For example, Francis of Assisi loved nature and so he is patron of ecologists. Francis de Sales was a writer and so he is patron of journalists and writers. Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard Christmas Mass -- even though it was taking place miles away.

Bangor to Bobbio: Patron of Journalists and of the Deaf Since we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home (St Columban, 8th sermon). 24 January 2009 Patron of Journalists and of the Deaf Today is the feast of St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, patron of journalists and of the Deaf. So he is my patron on both counts, since I edit Misyon and have been working with the Deaf on a part-time basis since 1992 and frequently celebrate Mass in Sign Language. Above all, he was a man who lived the fulness of the priesthood as a bishop faithfully. Maybe he would be a blogger if he were around today. The following information, which I found here , is the National Catholic Office for the Deaf, located in Washington, DC.

St Francis De Sales: Patron of the Deaf and Hearing-impaired In 1605, an indigent young man named Martin, a deaf-mute from birth, came almost daily to a house in Roche, France, where Bishop de Sales was staying, to ask for alms. He was a strong young man fit for all kinds of work, and the Bishop's housekeeper often allowed him to help her in payment for the Bishop's generosity. One day a servant introduced Martin to the Bishop. As a result of his handicap, Martin, who was about 25 years old, had never received any kind of education -- or instruction in the Catholic faith. (It was presumed by all of the educated people of that age, the 17th century, that a deaf-mute was a mentally handicapped person and that trying to educate or trying to communicate religios truths to such a person would be a waste of time.) At the time of their meeting, St Francis de Sales was visibly disturbed and touched with pity for the unfortunate Martin.

St Francis realized that the poor man would remain forever ignorant of God and the rich mysteries of the Faith and that his lack of instruction would forever keep him from receiving the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. After considering young Martin's deprived condition for a time, St. Francis determined that he would undertake the instruction of the young man. By using signs that he formed with his hands and fingers, St Francis personally began to teach Martin about the Catholic Faith. Martin, as was soon clear, was highly intelligent and a very good pupil. After a period of time, through his gentle patience and persistence and with the signs and gestures he had invented for the purpose, St Francis succeeded in instructing Martin about God and His love for all men. All went so well that eventually Martin was able to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time in 1606. Two years later, Martin was confirmed. St Francis eventually hired Martin as his gardener and brought him along with him when he returned to his episcopal household in Annecy, France. Martin's devotion to the Bishop of Geneva was second only to his devotion to God.

Martin prayed fervently, examining his conscience every evening before retiring, regularly confessed his sins to the Bishop, and assisted devoutly at the Bishop's Mass whenever he could. Sixteen years later, no one would be more affected by the death of St Francis de Sales than his faithful servant Martin, who would visit his master's last resting place almost every day until the day he himself died. The above account uses a term that is not used anymore: 'deaf-mute'. As a literal matter of fact, people who are deaf aren't mute, since they have voices and many can learn to speak. The word 'handicap' too isn't used much now but rather 'disability'. I don't like the term 'differently-abled'. It cannot hide the reality that a person who is deaf or blind, for example, does have a disability. Deaf people prefer the word 'Deaf', with a capital 'D' to describe themselves as a group. Being profoundly deaf from birth is different from becoming hearing-impaired from old age, for example. Those of us who can see and hear tend to think that blindness is a greater disability than deafness.

But deafness, whether from birth or coming with old age, is a disability that isolates in a way that blindness doesn't. Most deaf people here in the Philippines don't share a language even with their own family. And the only 'native signers' I know here are the hearing children of deaf parents. St Francis saw how isolated Martin was and broke through that isolation. Posted by Patron Saints: Guardians for your little angel – Baby Name Blog - Nameberry Nameberry Search for a name or phrase using quick search Find the right name for your baby using our advanced search tool Gender Change your email address and your password Login Patron Saints: Guardians for your little angel Posted February 2nd, 2012 Share on Pinterest How would you like a little extra special protection added to the other assets of your baby’s name? Patron saints are guardians over particular aspects of life—they can defend against an illness, or look out for people practicing a certain occupation or other interest. Sometimes these assignments were set centuries ago, others have been made more recently, as in the cases of ecology, advertising, computer technicians and television. Here are some of the most usable and interesting patron saint names, with their special areas of protection.

Girls Adelaide —can be invoked against in-law problems; protects parents of large families, stepparents, widows, abuse victims Agatha — Saint Agatha of Sicily is the patron of nursing mothers, glass workers and cloth makers, and a protector against breast disease, fire, earthquakes, burns, and volcanic eruptions. Agnes —is a protector of young girls, Girl Scouts Apollonia —protects against toothaches, and is the patron saint of dentists Bernadine —patron saint of advertising Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians, composers, poets and church music because as she was dying she sang to God, and as the musicians played at her wedding she “sang in her heart to the Lord ” Clare – Clare of Assisi was named patron of television because one Christmas when she was too ill to leave her bed she saw and heard a Christmas Mass that was taking place miles away. Clotilde —protector of adopted children Colette — St.

Colette is the patron saint of those who have lost parents Columba —a patron saint of poets Dorothy —patron of florists, gardeners, midwives, brides, newlyweds and brewers Genevieve –a protectress against fever, disasters, and excessive rain Helena —patron saint of archaeologists Lidwina—protectress of ice skaters Lucy –since her name means light, her patronage extends over all areas of vision, both spiritual and physical; also electricians, farmers, and the blind Matilda —patron saint of large families, second marriages, widows and disappointing children Vivian / Bibiana —protects against hangovers and headaches Winifred —patron saint of payrolls/payroll clerks Boys Ambrose –patron saint of learning, students and school children, orators, stone cutters, domestic animals, beekeepers, and the city of Milan . St. Ambrose was famous for his rhetoric and learning. Augustine — St. Augustine , the highly influential philosopher and theologian, is the patron saint of printers, theologians and brewers. Barnabus — St.

Barnabus can be invoked for peace Benedict —a patron saint of architects , bachelors, and the mentally ill Blaise —patron saint of builders and wind musicians; also can be invoked against throat diseases and whooping cough Claude —protector of sculptors Cornelius —protects against earaches Cosmos and Damian —twins patrons of hospitals, dentists, eye doctors, druggists, midwives and candy makers (candy makers and dentists??) Crispin and Crispinian — twin patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers (and maybe shoe fanatics?). Born to a noble Roman family, they fled persecution for their faith, preaching Christianity to the Gauls and making shoes by night. Florian – Saint Florian is the protector of fire fighters, and protects against floods, and any other danger from water Francis — Francis de Sales, who invented a sign language for the deaf, is the patron saint of editors, journalists and writers; Francis of Assisi , a patron of animals, merchants, and ecology.

(That’s him, fulfilling the animal side of his duties, in the picture.) Isidore —patron of computer users, technicians Ivo / Yves — the patron of lawyers, judges, jurors, notaries—and abandoned children Jude — Saint Jude is the patron saint of desperate situations and of hospitals. Luke —patron saint of artists, doctors, jewelers Magnus —protector of crops Raphael — the archangel Raphael has a heavy load: his patronage includes lovers, travelers, young people, nurses, apothecaries, eye problems, nurses and mental illness Valentine – Saint Valentine is not only the guardian of engaged couples, lovers, happy marriages , young people, and bee keepers, he protects against epilepsy, fainting and plague. Zeno – Zeno is the patron saint of fishermen, newborn babies and children learning to speak and walk. CatholicSaints.Info » Blog Archive » Saint Francis de Sales Saint Francis de Sales 23 January ( Anglican Church in Wales ) Profile Born in the castle of Château de Thorens to a well-placed Savoyard family, the eldest of twelve children born to François de Boisy and Françoise de Sionnz.

His parents intended that Francis become a lawyer , enter politics , and carry on the family line and power. He studied at La Roche and Annecy in France , taught by Jesuits . Attended the Collège de Clermont in Paris , France at age 12. In his early teens, Francis began to believe in pre-destination, and was so afraid that he was pre-emptorily condemned to Hell that he became ill and eventually was confined to bed. However, in January 1587 at the Church of Saint Stephen, he overcame the crisis, decided that whatever God had in store for him was for the best, and dedicated his life to God . Studied law and theology at the University of Padua , Italy , and earned a doctorate in both fields. He returned home, and found a position as Senate advocate . It was at this point that he received a message telling him to “Leave all and follow Me.” He took this as a call to the priesthood , a move his family fiercely opposed, especially when he refused a marriage that had been arranged for him. However, he pursued a devoted prayer life, and his gentle ways won over the family. Priest .

In 1593 he was appointed provost of the diocese of Geneva , Switzerland , a stronghold of Calvinists . Preacher , writer and spiritual director in the district of Chablais. His simple, clear explanations of Catholic doctrine, and his gentle way with everyone, brought many back to the Roman Church . He even used sign language in order to bring the message to the deaf , leading to his patronage of deaf people . Bishop of Geneva in 1602 . He travelled and evangelized throughout the Duchy of Savoy, working with children whenever he could. Friend of Saint Vincent de Paul . He turned down a wealthy French bishopric to continue working where God had placed him. With Saint Jeanne de Chantal he helped found the Order of the Visitation . A prolific correspondent, many of his letters have survived. The value of his writings led to his being declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1877 , and a patron of writers and journalists by Pope Pius XI in 1923 .

The Salesians of Don Bosco, the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales, and the Missionaries of Saint Francis de Sales are named in his honour as is the Saint François Atoll in the Seychelles Islands. Born Readings Nothing makes us so prosperous in this world as to give alms . – Saint Francis de Sales It is to those who have the most need of us that we ought to show our love more especially. – Saint Francis de Sales Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence. Saint Francis de Sales Salvation is shown to faith, it is prepared for hope, but it is given only to charity. Faith points out the way to the land of promise as a pillar of fire hope feeds us with its manna of sweetness, but charity actually introduces us into the Promised Land. Saint Francis de Sales Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased with the life you have led this year?

Saint Francis de Sales We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear. Saint Francis de Sales In the royal galley of divine Love, there is no galley slave: all rowers are volunteers. Saint Francis de Sales We are not drawn to God by iron chains, but by sweet attractions and holy inspirations. Saint Francis de Sales Perfection of life is the perfection of love. For love is the life of the soul. Saint Francis de Sales By giving yourself to God, you not only receive Himself in exchange, but eternal life as well. Saint Francis de Sales Man is the perfection of the Universe. The spirit is the perfection of man. Love is the perfection of the spirit, and charity that of love. Therefore, the love of God is the end, the perfection of the Universe. Saint Francis de Sales O love eternal, my soul needs and chooses you eternally! Ah, come Holy Spirit, and inflame our hearts with your love! To love – or to die! To die – and to love! To die to all other love in order to live in Jesus’ love, so that we may not die eternally.

But that we may live in your eternal love, O Savior of our souls, we eternally sing, “Live, Jesus! Jesus, I love! Live, Jesus, whom I love! Jesus, I love, Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever.” Amen. – from Treatise on the Love of God by Saint Francis de Sales Lord, I am yours, and I must belong to no one but you. My soul is yours, and must live only by you. My will is yours, and must love only for you. I must love you as my first cause, since I am from you. I must love you as my end and rest, since I am for you. I must love you more than my own being, since my being subsists by you. I must love you more than myself, since I am all yours and all in you. Amen.

– from Treatise on the Love of God by Saint Francis de Sales There are many who say to the Lord, “I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve,” but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory. Saint Francis de Sales One of the principle effects of holy abandonment in God is evenness of spirits in the various accidents of this life, which is certainly a point of great perfection, and very pleasing to God. The way to maintain it is in imitation of the pilots, to look continually at the Pole Star, that is, the Divine Will, in order to be constantly in conformity with it. For it is this will which, with infinite wisdom rightly distributes prosperity and adversity, health and sickness, riches and poverty, honor and contempt, knowledge and ignorance, and all that happens in this life. On the other hand, if we regard creatures without this relation to God, we cannot prevent our feelings and disposition from changing, according to the variety of accidents which occur.

– Saint Francis de Sales Some torment themselves in seeking means to discover the art of loving God, and do not know – poor creatures – that there is no art or means of loving Him but to love those who love Him – that is, to begin to practice those thing which are pleasing to Him. – Saint Francis de Sales Our business is to love what would have done. He wills our vocation as it is. Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people’s vocations. – Saint Francis de Sales Every moment comes to us pregnant with a command from God, only to pass on and plunge into eternity, there to remain forever what we have made of it. – Saint Francis de Sales All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be. – Saint Francis de Sales An action of small value performed with much love of God is far more excellent than one of a higher virtue, done with less love of God. – Saint Francis de Sales Blessed are those whose hearts are ever open to God’s inspiration; they will never lack what they need to live good holy lives, or to perform properly the duties of their state.

For just as God gives each animal through its nature the instincts needed for its self-preservation, so – if we offer no obstacle to grace – he gives each of us the inspirations needed for life, activity and self-preservation on the spiritual level. When we are at a loss what to do, when human help fails us in our dilemmas, then God inspires us. If only we are humbly obedient, he will not let us go astray. Some plants point their flowers at the sun, turn them with it as it moves. The sunflower, however, turns not only its flowers, but its leaves as well. In the same way all God’s chosen ones turn their hearts toward God’s will by keeping his commandments. But those who are utterly filled with charity turn to God’s will by more than mere obedience to his commandments. They also give him their hearts, follow him in all that he commands, counsels or inspires, unreservedly, with no exceptions whatsoever. – Saint Francis de Sales, from Finding God Wherever You Are Anxiety is a temptation in itself and also the source from and by which other temptations come. Sadness is that mental pain which is caused by the involuntary evils which affect us.

These may be external – such as poverty, sickness, contempt of others – or they may be internal – such as ignorance, dryness in prayer, aversion, and temptation itself. When the soul is conscious of some evil, it is dissatisfied because of this, and sadness is produced. The soul wishes to be free from this sadness, and tries to find the means for this. If the soul seeks deliverance for the love of God, it will seek with patience, gentleness, humility, and calmness, waiting on God’s providence rather than relying on its own initiative, exertion, and diligence. If it seeks from self-love, it is eager and excited and relying on self rather than God. Anxiety comes from an irregulated desire to be delivered from the evil we experience. Therefore, above all else, calm and compose your mind. Gently and quietly pursue your aim. – Saint Francis de Sales, from Daily Readings with Saint Francis de Sales The highest degree of meekness consists in seeing, serving, honoring, and treating amiably, on occasion, those who are not to our taste, and who show themselves unfriendly, ungrateful, and troublesome to us.

– Saint Francis de Sales Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. – Saint Francis De Sales The virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection. – Saint Francis De Sales To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection. – Saint Francis de Sales Two mistakes I find common among spiritual persons. One is that they ordinarily measure their devotion by the consolations and satisfactions which they experience in the way of God, so that if these happen to be wanting, they think they have lost all devotion. No, this is no more than a sensible devotion. True and substantial devotion does not consist in these things, but in having a will resolute, active, ready and constant not to offend God, and to perform all that belongs to His service. The other mistake is that if it ever happens to them to do anything with repugnance and weariness, they believe they have no merit in it.

On the other hand, there is then far greater merit; so that a single ounce of good done thus by a sheer spiritual effort, amidst darkness and dullness and without interest, is worth more than a hundred pounds done with great facility and sweetness, since the former requires a stronger and purer love. And how great so ever may be the aridities and repugnance of the sensible part of our soul, we ought never to lose courage, but pursue our way as travelers treat the barking of dogs. – Saint Francis de Sales Our average fault is that we wish to serve God in our way, not in His way- according to our will, not according to His will. When He wishes us to be sick, we wish to be well; when He desires us to serve Him by sufferings, we desire to serve Him by works; when He wishes us to exercise charity, we wish to exercise humility; when He seeks from us resignation, we wish for devotion, a spirit of prayer or some other virtue. And this is not because the things we desire may be more pleasing to Him, but because they are more to our taste.

This is certainly the average obstacle we can raise to our own perfection, for it is beyond doubt that if we were to wish to be Saints according to our own will, we shall never be so at all. To be truly a Saint, it is necessary to be one according to the will of God. – Saint Francis de Sales All the science of the Saints is included in these two things: To do, and to suffer. And whoever had done these two things best, has made himself most saintly. – Saint Francis de Sales The average fault among those who have a good will is that they wish to be something they cannot be, and do not wish to be what they necessarily must be. They conceive desires to do great things for which, perhaps, no opportunity may ever come to them, and meantime neglect the small which the Lord puts into their hands. There are a thousand little acts of virtue, such as bearing with the importunities and imperfections of our neighbors, not resenting an unpleasant word or a trifling injury, restraining an emotion of anger, mortifying some little affection, some ill-regulated desire to speak or listen, excusing indiscretion, or yielding to another in trifles.

These things are to be done by all; why not practice them. The occasions for great gains come but rarely, but of little gains many can be made each day; and by managing these little gains with judgement, there are some who grow rich. Oh, how holy and rich in merits we should make ourselves, if we but knew how to profit by the opportunities which our vocation supplies to us! Yes, yes, let us apply ourselves to follow well the path which is close before us, and to do well on the first opportunity, without occupying ourselves with thoughts of the last, and thus we shall make good progress. – Saint Francis de Sales To be perfect in one’s vocation is nothing else than to perform the duties and offices to which one is obliged, solely for the honor and love of God, referring to His glory. Whoever works in this manner may be called perfect in his state, a man according to the heart and will of God. – Saint Francis de Sales A servant of God signifies one who has a great charity towards his neighbor and an inviolable resolution to follow in everything the Divine Will; who bears with his own deficiencies, and patiently supports the imperfections of others.

– Saint Francis de Sales 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. – Saint Francis Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them. – Saint Francis de Sales Consider all the past as nothing, and say, like David: Now I begin to love my God. – Saint Francis de Sales One of the things that keep us at a distance from perfection is, without a doubt, our tongue. For when one has gone so far as to commit no faults in speaking, the Holy Spirit Himself assures us that he is perfect. And since the worst way of speaking is to speak too much, speak little and well, little and gently, little and simply, little and charitably, little and amiably. – Saint Francis de Sales It should be our principal business to conquer ourselves and, from day to day, to go on increasing in strength and perfection.

Above all, however, it is necessary for us to strive to conquer our little temptations, such as fits of anger, suspicions, jealousies, envy, deceitfulness, vanity, attachments, and evil thoughts. For in this way we shall acquire strength to subdue greater ones. – Saint Francis de Sales There is nothing which edifies others so much as charity and kindness, by which, as by the oil in our lamp, the flame of good example is kept alive. – Saint Francis de Sales When God the Creator made all things, he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind. He has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with his character, his station, and his calling, I say that devotion must be practiced in different ways by the noblemen and by the working man, by the servant and by the prince, by the widow, by the unmarried girl and by the married woman. But even this distinction is not sufficient; for the practice of devotion must be adapted to the strength, to the occupation and to the duties of each one in particular.

Moreover, just as every sort of gem, cast in honey, becomes brighter and more sparkling, each according to its color, so each person becomes more acceptable and fitting in his own vocation when he sets his vocation in the context of devotion. Through devotion your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince becomes more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable. – from Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales How displeasing to God are rash judgments! The judgments of the children of men are rash because they usurp the office of Our Lord, the just Judge. They are rash because the principal malice of sin depends on the intention and the counsel of the heart, and these are hidden things not known to human judges. They are rash because every person has things that could be judged, and, indeed, on which one should judge oneself. On the cross our Savior could not entirely excuse the sin of those who crucified him, but he extenuated the malice by pleading their ignorance.

When we cannot excuse a sin, let us at least make it worthy of compassion by attributing the most favorable cause we can to it, such as ignorance or weakness. We can never pass judgment on our neighbor. – from Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales As often as you can during the day, recall your mind to the presence of God…. Consider what God is doing, what you are doing. You will always find God’s eyes fixed on you in unchangeable love. Our hearts should each day seek a resting-place on Calvary or near our Lord, in order to retire there to rest from worldly cares and to find strength against temptation. Remember frequently to retire into the solitude of your heart, even while you are externally occupied in business or society. This mental solitude need not be hindered even though many people may be around you, for they surround your body not your heart, which should remain alone in the presence of God. As David said, “My eyes are ever looking at the Lord.” We are rarely so taken up in our exchanges with others as to be unable from time to time to move our hearts into solitude with God.

– Saint Francis de Sales Our profit does not depend so much on mortifying ourselves, as upon knowing how to mortify ourselves; that is, upon knowing how to chose the best mortifications, which are those most repugnant to our natural inclinations. Some are inclined to disciplines and fasts, and though they may be difficult things, they embrace them with fervor, and practice them gladly and easily, on account of this leaning which they have toward them. But then they will be so sensitive in regard to reputation and honor, that the least ridicule, disapproval, or slight is sufficient to throw them into a state of impatience and perturbation and to give rise to such complaints as show an equal want of peace and reason. These are the mortifications which they ought to embrace with the average readiness, if they wish to make progress. – Saint Francis de Sales The greater part of Christians usually practice incision instead of circumcision. They will make a cut indeed in a diseased part but as for employing the knife of circumcision, to take away whatever is superfluous from the heart, few go so far. – Saint Francis de Sales Undertake all of your duties with a calm mind and try to do them one at a time.

If you try to do them all at once, or without order, your spirits will be so overcharged and depressed that they will likely sink under the burden and nothing will be done. In all of your affairs, rely on the Providence of God through which alone you much look for success. Strive quietly to cooperate with its designs. If you have a sure trust in God, the success that comes to you will always be that which is most useful to you, whether it appears good or bad in your private judgment. Think of the little children who with one hand hold fast to their father while with the other they gather berries. If you handle the goods of this world with one hand, you must also always hold fast with the other to your heavenly Father’s hand, and turn toward him from time to time to see if you are pleasing him. Above all, be sure that you never leave his hand and his protection, thinking that with your own two hands you can gather more or get some other advantage. – Saint Francis de Sales, from Introduction to the Devout Life We must intend our own salvation in the way God intends it. God desires that we should be saved. We too need constantly to desire what God desires.

God not only means us to be saved, but actually dives us all we need to achieve salvation. So we are not to stop at merely desiring salvation, but go a step further and accept all the graces God has prepared for us, the graces constantly offered to us. It is all very well to say, “I want to be saved.” It is not must use merely saying, “I want to take the necessary steps.” We must actually take the steps. We need to make a definite resolution to take and use the graces God holds out to us. Our wills must be in tune with God’s. Because God wants us to be saved, we should want to be saved. We should also welcome the means to salvation that God intends us to take….that is why general acts of devotion and prayer should always be followed by particular resolutions. – Saint Francis de Sales Love is strong as death since both equally separate the soul from the body and all terrestrial things, the only difference is, that the separation is real and effectual when caused by death, whereas that occasioned by love is usually confined to the heart.

I say usually, because divine love is sometimes so violent that it actually separates the soul from the body, and, by causing the death of those who love, it renders them infinitely happier than it it bestowed on them a thousand lives. As the lot of the reprobate is to die in sin, that of the elect is to expire in the love and grace of God, which is effected in several ways. Many of the saints died, not only in the state of charity, but in the actual exercise of divine love.

Saint Augustine expired in making an act of contrition, which cannot exist without love; Saint Jerome, in exhorting his disciples to charity and the practice of all virtues; Saint Ambrose, in conversing sweetly with his Saviour, whom he had received in the Holy Eucharist; Saint Anthony of Padua also expired in the act of discoursing with our Divine Lord, after having recited a hymn in honor of the ever — glorious Virgin; Saint Thomas of Aquinas, with his hands clasped, his eyes raised to heaven, and pronouncing these words of the Canticles, which were the last he had expounded: ” Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field ” (Canticle 7:2). All the apostles, and the greater number of the martyrs, died in prayer.

Venerable Bede, having learned the hour of his death by revelation, went to the choir at the usual hour to sing the evening office, it being the feast of the Ascension , and at the very moment he had finished singing vespers he expired, following his Guide and Master into Heaven, to celebrate His praises in that abode of rest and happiness, round which the shades of night can never gather, because it is illumined by the brightness of the eternal day, which neither dawns nor ends. John Gerson, Chancellor of the University of Paris, remarkable for his learning and virtue, — of whom Sixtus of Sienna said, ” that it is difficult to decide whether the vein of piety which runs through his works surpasses his science, or whether his learning exceeds his piety,” — after having explained the fifty properties of divine love mentioned in the Canticles, expired at the close of three days, smiling, and pronouncing these words of the same sacred text: ” Thy love, O God, is strong as death ” (Canticle 8:6). The fervor and ardor of Saint Martin at the hour of his death are remarkable.

Saint Louis, who has proved himself as great a monarch among the saints as an eminent saint among kings, being attacked by the plague, ceased not to pray, and after receiving the viaticum, he extended his arms in the form of a cross, fixed his eyes on heaven, and, animated with love and confidence, expired in saying with the Psalmist: ” I will come into Thy house, O Lord; I will worship towards Thy holy temple, in Thy fear ” (Psalms 5:8). Saint Peter Celestine, after having endured the most cruel and incredible afflictions ,, seeing the end of his days approach, began to sing like the swan, and terminated his song with his life, by these words of the last Psalm: ” Let every spirit praise the Lord ” (Psalms 150:5). Saint Eusebia, surnamed the Stranger, died kneeling in fervent prayer. Saint Peter the Martyr yielded his last sigh in writing (with his finger, which he had dipped in his blood ) the articles of the faith for which he sacrificed his life, and in saying: “Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit ” (Psalms 30:6).

The great apostle of the Indies and Japan, Saint Francis Xavier, expired holding a crucifix , which he tenderly embraced, and incessantly repeated in transports of love, ” O Jesus! the God of my heart!” – Saint Francis de Sales, from “On the Love of God” As soon as worldly people see that you wish to follow a devout life they aim a thousand darts of mockery and even detraction at you. The most malicious of them will slander your conversion as hypocrisy, bigotry, and trickery. They will say that the world has turned against you and being rebuffed by it you have turned to God. Your friends will raise a host of objections which they consider very prudent and charitable. They will tell you that you will become depressed, lose your reputation in the world, be unbearable, and grow old before your time, and that your affairs at home will suffer. You must live in the world like one in the world. They will say that you can save your soul without going to such extremes, and a thousand similar trivialities. Philothea, all this is mere foolish, empty babbling. These people aren’t interested in your health or welfare.

“If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you,” says the Savior. We have seen gentlemen and ladies spend the whole night, even many nights one after another, playing chess or cards. Is there any concentration more absurd, gloomy, or depressing than this last? Yet worldly people don’t say a word and the players’ friends don’t bother their heads about it. If we spend an hour in meditation or get up a little earlier than usual in the morning to prepare for Holy Communion , everyone runs for a doctor to cure us of hypochondria and jaundice. People can pass thirty nights in dancing and no one complains about it, but if they watch through a single Christmas night they cough and claim their stomach is upset the next morning. Does anyone fail to see that the world is an unjust judge, gracious and well disposed to its own children but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God? We can never please the world unless we lose ourselves together with it. It is so demanding that it can’t be satisfied.

“John came neither eating nor drinking,” says the Savior, and you say, “He has a devil.” “The Son of man came eating and drinking” and you say that he is “a Samaritan.” It is true, Philothea, that if we are ready to laugh, play cards, or dance with the world in order to please it, it will be scandalized at us, and if we don’t, it will accuse us of hypocrisy or melancholy. If we dress well, it will attribute it to some plan we have, and if we neglect our dress, it will accuse of us of being cheap and stingy. Good humor will be called frivolity and mortification sullenness. Thus the world looks at us with an evil eye and we can never please it. It exaggerates our imperfections and claims they are sins, turns our venial sins into mortal sins and changes our sins of weakness into sins of malice. “Charity is kind,” says Saint Paul, but the world on the contrary is evil. “Charity thinks no evil,” but the world always thinks evil and when it can’t condemn our acts it will condemn our intentions.

Whether the sheep have horns or not and whether they are white or black, the wolf doesn’t hesitate to eat them if he can. Whatever we do, the world will wage war on us. If we stay a long time in the confessional , it will wonder how we can have so much to say; if we stay only a short time, it will say we haven’t told everything. It will watch all our actions and at a single little angry word it will protest that we can’t get along with anyone. To take care of our own interests will look like avarice, while meekness will look like folly. As for the children of the world, their anger is called being blunt, their avarice economy, their intimate conversations lawful discussions. Spiders always spoil the good work of the bees . Let us give up this blind world, Philothea. Let it cry out at us as long as it pleases, like a cat that cries out to frighten birds in the daytime. Let us be firm in our purposes and unswerving in our resolutions. Perseverance will prove whether we have sincerely sacrificed ourselves to God and dedicated ourselves to a devout life.

Comets and planets seem to have just about the same light, but comets are merely fiery masses that pass by and after a while disappear, while planets remain perpetually bright. So also hypocrisy and true virtue have a close resemblance in outward appearance but they can be easily distinguished from one another. Hypocrisy cannot last long but is quickly dissipated like rising smoke, whereas true virtue is always firm and constant. It is no little assistance for a sure start in devotion if we first suffer criticism and calumny because of it. In this way we escape the danger of pride and vanity, which are comparable to the Egyptian midwives whom a cruel Pharaoh had ordered to kill the Israelites’ male children on the very day of their birth. We are crucified to the world and the world must be crucified to us. The world holds us to be fools; let us hold it to be mad. – Saint Francis de Sales, from Introduction to the Devine Life MLA Citation “Saint Francis de Sales“. CatholicSaints.Info. 30 December 2016. Web. 20 January 2017. < >

Question: Who is the patron saint of authors, journalists and deafness?
Answer: ST FRANCIS DE SALES