St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Feast Day: January 24

Doctor of the Church: 1877

Born into a noble family in what is today France, de Sales was the first of 12 children. At the age of 13, he was engulfed in a personal crisis after attending a theological discussion about predestination. Convinced that he was damned to Hell, he became physically ill and even bedridden for a time.

His crisis ended when he came to the conclusion that whatever God had in store for him was good because God is Love. His new conviction shaped his life and teaching.

He was ordained to the priesthood in 1593. In the post-Reformation period, he evangelized among the Protestants and won many back to the faith. In 1602, he was consecrated bishop of Geneva.

He met St. Jane de Chantal in 1604. Six years later, they founded the women’s Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary — known as the Salesian or Visitation sisters.

As bishop, he garnered a reputation as a spellbinding preacher. He was a friend to the poor and had a supernatural affability and wisdom. These qualities come through wonderfully in his famous books. De Sales’ spirituality is often referred to as the Way of Divine Love.

In his lifetime, the way of holiness was only for monks and nuns — not for ordinary people. De Sales changed that by giving spiritual direction to regular lay people. He had grown in holiness while involved in a very active occupation, so why couldn’t others? His most famous book, Introduction to the Devout Life, was written for ordinary folks. Originally composed as letters, it became an instant success all over Europe.

The Salesian Order (SDB), founded by St. Don Bosco in 1859, is named after him, as are the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS) and the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS).

This column is produced for Legatus by the Dead Theologians Society, a Catholic apostolate for high school-age teens and college-age young adults. On the web: deadtheologianssociety.com.