Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Francis de Sales

The Angels delivered Saint Francis de Sales to a beautiful château in what was called Thorens at that time, but today is just outside the breathtakingly city of Annecy, France, on Lake Geneva. He was born in a château on August 21, 1567. His family was part of the House of Savoie, which was a noble family in Europe. On the following day St. Francis was baptized in the Parish church of Thorens, and given the name Francis Bonaventure. His patron saint was the Little Poverello of Assisi. He was named after St. Francis and Bonaventure, another famous Franciscan and Doctor of the Church. [St. Bonaventure, Seraphic Doctor, was born just five years before St. Francis died, and followed in the Poverello’s footsteps.] The combination of qualities exemplified in Francis, who was all heart, and in Bonaventure, who was brilliant, were just the traits young Francis would need in his ministry for the Church, as he grew in body and spirit.

Saint Francis de Sales - Early Years

What were his parents thinking about for this, their first baby? Would he continue in the House of Savoie, taking care of the land, his heritage? Would Francis Bonaventure follow in the footsteps of his namesakes? Although we read that both parents were traditional Catholics, could they have had any idea what they were doing when they gave such powerful names to their newborn? Nothing is by coincidence, not even the naming of a child. Unless it is God’s Holy Coincidence.

The room in which Saint Francis de Sales was born was known as St. Francis’ room, because of a painting in the room of the Saint preaching to the birds and the fishes. It was always young Francis’ favorite painting of his namesake, as was this his favorite room.

Saint Francis de Sales was born prematurely, leaving him frail and delicate, physically challenged as a young child. But he was never Spiritually challenged. From his earliest childhood, he was unusually active and energetic. He was a product of Home Schooling in his early years. His mother kept his education in her own hands, aided by a tutor, Abbé Déage, a local priest who was very learned.

As Francis grew, this priest became his tutor, traveling with him everywhere during his youth. Beautiful traits were instilled in him by the Lord, who guided his mother in his upbringing his entire life. He was obedient and truthful no matter what the consequences. In addition, he was a voracious reader; he devoured every book he could get. He was very eager to learn. The Lord was gearing him up for a mighty job and he couldn’t begin too soon.

In the year 1575, Saint Francis de Sales, now eight years old, attended the college of Annecy, which was just a few miles distance from the château. There, he was prepared for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. He received both Sacraments on the same day, December 17, 1577 at the tender age of ten years old in the local church in Annecy. It was the most important day of his life, one which he would never forget. In September of the following year, he received the tonsure. Tonsure at that time, was the introductory ceremony by which a layman became a cleric. It was not part of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, but was sort of the initiation process. [There are different ways to receive tonsure. One is cutting small portions from the front, back, two sides and the crown of the head. Another method is to shave the top of the head in a circle, leaving just a crown of hair as a permanent tonsure.]

Now, under normal circumstances, this would be considered unusual, because to the best of our knowledge, tonsure is only given to someone who is in a religious order. In the time of Saint Francis de Sales, tonsure was allowed even if the candidate had no intention of taking the Sacrament of Holy Orders. However, years later, Francis confided to his father that he had always had a great wish to consecrate himself to God and he regarded this as the first bold step. His father had other plans for him, which did not include the religious life in any way, and so he didn’t take seriously, his son’s desire for the religious life.

Saint Francis de Sales - Education

In 1581, at fourteen years old, Saint Francis de Sales was sent to the University of Paris, which at that time was among the top centers of learning in Europe. His father’s agenda called for Francis to enter the Collège de Navarre, as it was frequented by the sons of the noble families of Savoie. The courses offered there would be perfect for the life Monsieur Boisy had envisioned for Francis, of which he made no secret.

But Francis, who had kept his feelings about what he wanted to do with his life, to himself, feared the influence this school would have on his commitment to the Lord, and preferred to be allowed to go to the Collège de Clermont, which was under Jesuit direction, and renowned for piety as well as for learning.

In this college, he would be able to study rhetoric, philosophy and theology under the supervision of the Jesuits. He was able to get his father to agree, which was a miracle in itself. So he and his tutor, Abbé Déage, took up residence in a hotel near the Collège de Clermont, and he embarked on the greatest adventure of his life. He excelled in the atmosphere of spiritual teaching, but in addition, and very astutely, in order to please his father, he took lessons in noble endeavors, riding, dancing and fencing.

Saint Francis de Sales Formation

Those six years in Paris were very important in his formation. Saint Francis de Sales was able to accomplish both tasks. He gave to God the things that were God’s; he gave to Caesar the things that were Caesar’s. He became a man of the Renaissance, (the good part of the Renaissance, if that’s possible), obtaining a bachelor of art’s degree. But he also studied Theology and Scripture. Spiritually, his life centered on meditation, devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady.

His love was in treasures from above, not those of this world. His heart was more and more set upon giving himself wholly to God. He made a vow of perpetual chastity and placed himself under the special protection of our dear Mother Mary. He should have known when he did those two things, vowed chastity and placed himself under the mantle of Mary, that he was in trouble. As the Lord knew the powerful work Francis would do for the Kingdom and the people of Geneva and Savoie, the evil one knew as well.

Saint Francis de Sales  - Trials and Tribulations

The attacks began hot and heavy on Saint Francis de Sales, when he reached eighteen years old. He was besieged by unbelievable, painful temptation to despair. His whole life had always revolved around his relationship with God; but suddenly he was victim of a dreaded apprehension that he had lost God, that His Grace was no longer flowing through him, and that he would spend his eternity condemned to hell, hating God, the torture of the accursed.

For us, looking at what was happening in hindsight, it was as if he were experiencing the Dark Night of the Soul to which most Saints are subjected, at some time in their lives. But usually, it’s a lot later in their walk with the Lord. Perhaps God wanted him to get it out of the way prior to beginning this lifelong mission in His Service.

It got so bad that it was affecting him physically. His health suffered intensely from the ongoing excruciating mental anguish. He tried to offer it up for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, to which he had a great devotion. But it didn’t help. “Lord” he cried, “if I’m ever to see Thee in Heaven, this at least, grant me that I may never curse nor blaspheme Thy Holy Name. If I may not love Thee in the other world, for in Hell, none praise Thee, let me at least, every instance of my brief existence here, love Thee as much as I can.”

But, in the midst of this torture, while praying the Memorare to Our Lady for help, suddenly all anxiety suddenly left Saint Francis de Sales. He could feel the mantle of Mary covering him. In his soul, he could hear the Angels singing songs of praise to God; a blanket of peace covered him. It was over. From this experience, he learned a number of important lessons early in his ministry. The first was to reach out to Mary immediately when he was in trouble. Another important point was to try to understand and deal tenderly with the spiritual difficulties and temptations of others.

When he returned home in 1588, after six years studying in Paris, his father wanted him to become involved in the service of the state, in keeping with his position as a member of the House of Savoie. He sent him to Padua to study Law at the University of Padua, one of the greatest universities in Europe. But the Lord was not going to allow him to just waste time learning Law. In addition to taking his courses in secular Law, he took courses in Canon Law. Also, he was able to study more theology. The Lord then placed a Jesuit in his path, Anthony Possevin.

Saint Francis de Sales was very impressed with the spirituality of the man. He asked him to be his Spiritual Director. Through this experience, God was able to keep Francis focused on his real treasures while in the center of materialism and Renaissance. He had to keep his soul free from the enticements all around him. One of the greatest positives which came from his relationship with the Jesuit was that he drew up a personal rule for life, interior and exterior. He renewed his commitment to virginity and the Divine Office, which he had made in Paris some years before.

Saint Francis de Sales was twenty four years old when he received his final degree and became a doctor of law at Padua. However, we have a slight hitch here. While he accomplished what his father had sent him to Padua for, the degree in civil Law, he also on his own received a degree in Canon Law. So he continued working for the Father, in preparation for whatever the Lord had planned for him.

Saint Francis de Sales - books - dvds - cds available

Wouldn't you look forward to spending a few minutes with St. Francis de Sales, one of the best known and loved saints of all times? The life and message of this great saint and Doctor of the Church has blessed millions of Catholics around the globe. His simple, straightforward advice has helped many gain a better understanding of the spiritual life and a deeper union with Christ. This deluxe book contains a collection of hundreds of direct quotes and short sayings of St. Francis de Sales, carefully arranged by major virtues of the Christian life. The quotes are arranged and classified by the virtues represented in the classic 15 decade Rosary. The Rosary mysteries provide us a mosaic of virtues for the spiritual life, a ladder for advancing in holiness and in the love of God.

Visit our other sites: 

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.