Francis de Sales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Francis de Sales CO, OM, OFM Cap.
Francois de sales
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Born	21 August 1567 Château de Sales, Duchy of Savoy, Holy Roman Empire
Died	28 December 1622(1622-12-28) (aged 55) Lyons, Lyonnais, Kingdom of France
Beatified	8 January 1661, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Alexander VII
Canonized	8 April 1665, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Alexander VII
Feast	24 January 29 January (local communities and among Traditionalist Catholics)
Attributes	Heart of Jesus, Crown of Thorns
Patronage	Baker, Oregon; Cincinnati, Ohio; Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana; Catholic press; Columbus, Ohio; confessors; deaf people; educators; Upington, South Africa; Wilmington, Delaware; writers; journalists; the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest; Oblates of St. Francis de Sales; Salesians of Don Bosco

Saint
Bishop of Geneva
Native name	François de Sales
Province	Vienne
Diocese	Geneva
Appointed	15 July 1602 (Coadjutor)
Enthroned	8 December 1602
Reign ended	28 December 1622
Predecessor	Claude de Granier
Successor	Jean-François de Sales
Orders
Ordination	18 December 1593
Consecration	8 December 1602
Personal details
Previous post	Titular Bishop of Nicopolis ad Iaterum (1602)
Motto	Non-excidet
Coat of arms

Francis de Sales (born August 21, 1567 – died December 28, 1622) was a Catholic bishop from Geneva. He is known as a saint in the Catholic Church. He was famous for his strong faith and his kind way of dealing with religious disagreements. These disagreements were caused by the Protestant Reformation. He is also known for his books on spiritual guidance, especially Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God.

Life Story of Francis de Sales

Early Years and Family Life

Francis de Sales was born early, on August 21, 1567. He came from a noble family in the Duchy of Savoy, which is now part of France. His father, François de Sales, was a lord. His mother, Françoise de Sionnaz, was also from a well-known noble family.

Francis was the first of six sons. His father wanted him to become a magistrate, which is like a judge. So, Francis had a good education. He studied in nearby towns like La Roche-sur-Foron and Annecy.

His Education and Important Decision

Francis de Sales at age 12

In 1578, Francis went to the Collège de Clermont in Paris. This was a school run by the Jesuits. He studied subjects like writing and history. He was a smart and handsome young man, known for being a bit quiet.

Around 1586, Francis had a difficult time. He worried a lot about his future and felt very sad. To find peace, he visited a church in Paris and prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He decided then to dedicate his life to God and promised to remain pure. This decision helped him overcome his doubts. He realized that God is full of love, as the Bible teaches. This belief guided his whole life and his teachings. His way of teaching about faith is often called the "Way of Divine Love."

After his studies in Paris, Francis went to the University of Padua in Italy. There, he studied both law and theology. He had a spiritual guide, a Jesuit priest named Antonio Possevino.

Returning Home to Savoy

St Francis de Sales, by Giovanni Battista Lucini

In 1592, Francis finished his studies and decided he wanted to become a priest. He visited a famous church in Loreto, Italy, and then returned home to Savoy. As the oldest son, he was expected to take on important roles. His father even chose a wealthy woman for him to marry. But Francis refused, wanting to focus on becoming a priest.

At first, his father was upset. But Francis's cousin, Canon Louis de Sales, helped convince the Bishop of Geneva to give Francis an important church position. This was the highest job in the diocese. So, Francis's father finally agreed. In 1593, Francis became a priest.

As a Priest and Leader

Because Geneva was controlled by Protestants, the bishop lived in Annecy. Francis preached in the Annecy Cathedral and other churches. He was a good speaker, with a calm and clear voice. His sermons were short and focused on being good and kind. He avoided arguments and instead taught about virtues. He also heard many confessions, helping people with their spiritual lives.

Working in Chamblais

In 1594, Francis was asked to go to Chamblais, an area that had recently returned to Savoy. This was a difficult and dangerous job because many people there were Calvinists. Francis accepted the challenge. He faced a lot of opposition and even threats to his life. He started writing small papers, which were later put together into a book called The Catholic Controversy. Slowly, his efforts began to show some success.

In 1599, he was chosen to become a coadjutor bishop of Geneva, meaning he would help the current bishop and take over when he left. In 1602, he went to France to talk with King Henry IV of France. The King liked Francis very much, calling him "a rare bird" because he was devout, learned, and a gentleman.

Becoming Bishop of Geneva

In 1602, the old bishop died, and Francis de Sales became the Bishop of Geneva. He lived in Annecy because Geneva was still under Protestant control. His diocese became known across Europe for being well-organized and having dedicated clergy and well-taught people.

He worked closely with the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, who were active in spreading the Catholic faith. Francis was known as a powerful preacher and a very disciplined person. His motto was, "He who preaches with love, preaches effectively." People admired his kindness, patience, and gentleness.

His Important Writings

Francis de Sales wrote several famous books. His most well-known book was Introduction to the Devout Life. This book was special because it was written for everyday people, not just priests or monks. In it, he taught that love is more important than strict self-punishment for growing in faith. He also wrote a deep spiritual book called "Treatise on the Love of God." Many of his letters, giving spiritual advice, were also collected and published.

Founding a Religious Order

San Francisco de Sales

Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, medal 1867

With Jane Frances de Chantal, Francis founded a women's religious order called the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines) in Annecy in 1610. These nuns lived a cloistered life, meaning they stayed within their monastery.

Francis also started a community for men, but it ended after his death.

His Death

In December 1622, Francis de Sales traveled with the Duke of Savoy. In Lyon, he chose to stay in a simple hut at the Visitandine monastery. There, he had a stroke and died on December 28, 1622.

Honoring Francis de Sales

Francis de Sales is often called "the Gentleman Saint" because of his kind and patient nature. He was buried on January 24, 1623, in the church of the Visitation Monastery in Annecy, which he had founded. Many miracles have been reported at his burial place.

His heart was kept in Lyon, as the people there wanted to keep some of his remains. During the French Revolution, nuns saved it by taking it to Venice.

Francis de Sales was officially declared "blessed" in 1661 by Pope Alexander VII. Four years later, the Pope made him a saint. In 1877, he was named a Doctor of the Church, a special title for saints who have greatly helped the Church through their writings and teachings.

The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day on January 24.

Who is Francis de Sales a Patron Of?

In 1923, Pope Pius XI named him the patron saint of writers and journalists. This is because he used many pamphlets and books to teach about faith and to reach out to Calvinists. Francis de Sales also created a sign language to teach a deaf man about God. Because of this, he is also the patron saint of deaf people.

He is also a patron for several religious groups, including the Sisters of St. Joseph.

His Lasting Impact

Religious Groups Inspired by Him

In the 1800s, Francis de Sales' ideas for religious communities became popular again. Several new religious groups for men and women were started, aiming to live by his spiritual teachings.

• The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (M.S.F.S.) were founded in 1838.
• The Salesians of Don Bosco (S.D.B.), founded by John Bosco in 1859, are also known as the Society of St. Francis de Sales.
• The Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.) were founded in 1866.
• The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (O.S.F.S.) for men were founded in 1875.
• The Paulist Fathers in the United States also consider him one of their patrons.

Mosaic of Sales on the exterior of St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis, Missouri

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a group of priests founded more recently, also sees St. Francis de Sales as a main patron. One of their important churches in the United States is the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in St. Louis, Missouri.

Influence on Other Saints

Saint Vincent de Paul met Francis de Sales around 1618. Francis de Sales' spiritual ideas and writings, especially An Introduction to the Devout Life, greatly influenced Vincent.

His writings about the heart of Mary as a model of love for God also inspired Saint John Eudes. This led to the development of devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Places and Schools Named After Him

Schools and Colleges

• St Francis College, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, England
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic Junior School, Liverpool, England
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, Toronto, ON, Canada
• St Francis De Sales Catholic School, Houston, TX
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic School Riverside CA
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, Lake Zurich, IL
• St Francis de Sales School, Morgantown, West Virginia
• St Francis de Sales School, Beckley, West Virginia
• St Francis de Sales School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic High School, Walla Walla, Washington
• DeSales High School in Louisville, Kentucky
• DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania
• Mount de Sales Academy, Catonsville, Maryland
• Mount de Sales Academy, Georgia
• Saint Francis de Sales Seminary Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Salesianum School, Wilmington, DE, United States
• St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, OH, United States
• St. Francis de Sales High School in Chicago, IL, United States
• St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, OH, United States
• St. Francis de Sales College, in Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia
• St. Francis de Sales School, in Nagpur, India
• St. Francis de Sales School, in New Delhi, India
• St.Francis De sales School, in Nallasopara, India
• St. Francis de Sales School, in Dhemaji, India
• St. Francis de Sales School, Nizamabad, Telangana, India.
• St. Francis de Sales School (Wellington, New Zealand)
• St. Francis de Sales High School, Francis Nagar, Korutla
• St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn, New York
• St. Francis de Sales College, in Nagpur, India
• The three seminary departments in the Archdiocese of Lipa are named after St. Francis de Sales
• St Francis de Sales College, Bengaluru, India
• St. Francis de Sales elementary school, Lake Geneva, WI, United States
• St. Francis de Sales School, Salisbury, MD, United States
• St. Francis de Sales Regional Catholic School, Herkimer, NY, United States
• St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, Lockport, NY, United States
• St. Francis de Sales School, Sherman Oaks, CA, United States

Other Places Named After Him

• The island of St. François Atoll
• Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center in Hartford, CT, United States.
• St. Francis de Sales Broadcast Center in Batangas City, Philippines
• St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church
• St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church (Charlestown, Mass.)

See also

In Spanish: Francisco de Sales para niños