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Francis
was born in France in the sixteenth century. He was from a well-to-do
family and studied in Paris before obtaining a law degree from
the University of Padua. Shortly after becoming a lawyer he
decided to answer the call from God to become a priest, which
his family was decidedly opposed to. He felt compelled to go
to neighboring Switzerland to convert the Calvinists but had
trouble dredging up much support or funding. Through much hardship
he pursued his mission with the help of his cousin, who abandoned
him after three years of failure. He eventually made progress
by slipping handwritten sermons under doors and gained people’s
trust by charming their children. Despite multiple death-threats,
Francis persevered and converted many of the Calvinists with
the help of the book he penned, Introduction to the Devout Life.
He was eventually appointed as Bishop of Geneva. He became associated
with the widow Jane de Chantal, whom he’d first encountered
in a dream, which changed the direction of his life. Together
they became mystics and founded the Order of the Visitation.
Francis wished for people to be so enamoured with Christ that
they engrave their hearts with the name of Jesus as lovers carve
the name of their beloved on trees. Francis is also the patron
of deaf people, educators, teachers and writers. His feast
day is January 24. |
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St.
Francis
de Sales
Patron St. of
Journalists |
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