SAINT FRANCIS OF SALES

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Born on the border of Switzerland, into an old aristocratic family of Savoy, Francis of Sales became one of the foremost missioners of the Catholic Restoration. He drew Calvinists to the Church by his Christlike kindness; but after the winning of the heretics, the saint was very exacting in the direction of his converts. His writings are Christian classics in which he emphasizes the importance of a staunch Catholic laity, holding that it is an error to believe that piety is incompatible with any state of life. Francis of Sales was appointed bishop of Geneva in 1603. Seven years later, together with St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation. This holy and gentle apostle died in 1622.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH except

PRAYER

O God, You willed that the blessed confessor bishop Francis should become all things to all men to save their souls. Fill us with the spirit of Your love, so that guided by the counsels of Your saint and aided by his merits we may come to the happiness of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.