Biography
“The heart that is taken and pressed with a desire of praising the divine goodness more than it is able, after many endeavours goes oftentimes out of itself, to invite all creatures to help it in its design.”[1] St. Francis de Sales was born in Savoy, France in 1567. He showed himself to be incredibly bright during his studies in rhetoric, philosophy, theology and law. He became ordained and supported the Counter-Reformation in his district. In 1602, he became bishop and devoted his work to integrating the decrees from the Council of Trent. Also, he co-founded the Visitandines with St. Jane Francis de Chantal, an order dedicated to humility, gentleness, and sisterly love. St. Francis de Sales was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1877. Amongst his most read and revered writings are Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God. [2][3] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Francis de Sales, Treatise on the Love of God (New York: Benziger Brothers, 1884), 221. [2] F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (London: Oxford University Press, 1974), 531, 1446. [3] Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, The Martyrology of the Monastery of the Ascension, 2008. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now