Traditional Feast of St. Francis de Sales



Today is traditionally the feast of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales.  His feast in the revised calendar fell a few days ago, on 24 January.

St. Francis was the Count of Sales, Bishop of Geneva, and, with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, founder of the Order of the Visitation.  He died in 1622AD.  He was canonized in 1665 by Pope Alexander VII, and named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1877.

Indeed, here is the Apostolic Letter, Dives in misericodia Deus, of Pius IX, making him a Doctor of the Church: Blessed Pius IX, Dives in misericodia Deus, Full Text

Here is the good Bishop's entry on the Catholic Hierarchy site:
Catholic Hierarchy: Bishop St. Francois de Sales

St. Francis de Sales is rightly noted as patron saint of Catholic writers, for his works are filled with such sound spiritual advice that is both gentle and challenging.  Indeed, one could hardly recommend a better Catholic writer for those seeking to grow in virtue and love of God!

For more, note:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Francis de Sales

Catholic Saints Info: St. Francis de Sales

Here is another biography of the Saint: Lives of Saints (at EWTN): St. Francis de Sales

His master work, arguably, is the Introduction to the Devout Life.  You can find the text here:
Introduction to the Devout Life Full Text

This blogger has the privilege of being a parishioner, and of receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony, at a parish under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales, that of Mableton, Georgia, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in the Archdiocese of Atlanta: St. Francis de Sales Parish Official Site

Live well!