Saint Francis De Sales Popular Books
Saint Francis De Sales Biography & Facts
Francis de Sales, C.O., O.M. (French: François de Sales; Italian: Francesco di Sales; 21 August 1567 – 28 December 1622) was a Savoyard Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Geneva and is a saint of the Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God. Life Early years Francis de Sales was born two months premature on 21 August 1567 in the Château de Sales into the noble Sales family of the Duchy of Savoy, in what is today Thorens-Glières, Haute-Savoie, France. His father was François de Sales, Lord of Sales, and Novel, and by marriage, de Boisy. His mother was a noblewoman, Françoise de Sionnaz, the only child of the prominent magistrate, Melchior de Sionnaz, Seigneur de Vallières, de la Thuile, and de Boisy. This being one of the noblest families in Savoy, Francis's father was generally known as M. de Boisy. He was baptized Francis Bonaventura after his godparents, François de la Fléchère and Damoiselle Bonaventure de Chevron-Villette, who was also his widowed, maternal grandmother. His father wanted him, the first of his six sons, to attend the best schools in preparation for a career as a magistrate. He, therefore, enjoyed a privileged education in the nearby town of La Roche-Sur-Foron, and at the age of eight at the Capuchin college in Annecy. Education and self-consecration In 1578, de Sales went to the Collège de Clermont, then a Jesuit institution, to study rhetoric and humanities. On this first visit to Paris, he lived near the Église Sainte-Geneviève with his three cousins. As a nobleman, he was accompanied by his servant and by a priest tutor, Abbé Déage. To please his father, he took lessons in the gentlemanly pursuits of riding, dancing, and fencing. De Sales is described as intelligent and handsome, tall and well built with blue-grey eyes, somewhat reserved and quiet, and a welcome guest in the homes of the nobility among whom his father had connections. In 1586, Francis de Sales attended a theological discussion about predestination that convinced him of his damnation to hell. A personal crisis of despair resulted. That conviction lasted through December 1586. His great despair made him physically ill and even bedridden for a time. Sometime in either late December or early January 1587, he visited the old parish of Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Paris, where he prayed the "Memorare" before a famed statue of Our Lady of Good Deliverance, a Black Madonna. He consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity. He then became a tertiary of the Minim Order. De Sales ultimately concluded that God had good in store for him because "God is love", as the First Epistle of John attests. This faithful devotion to God not only expelled his doubts but also influenced the rest of his life and his teachings. His way of teaching Catholic spirituality is often referred to as the Way of Divine Love, or the Devout Life, taken from a book he wrote of a similar name: Introduction to the Devout Life. De Sales completed his studies at Collège de Clermont and enrolled at the University of Padua, in Italy, where he studied both law and theology. He was accompanied by his twelve-year-old brother, Gallois, also a student in Padua. De Sales took Antonio Possevino, a priest in the Society of Jesus, as his spiritual director. Return to Savoy In 1592, de Sales received his doctorate in law and theology and made up his mind to become a priest. He made a pilgrimage to Loreto, Italy, famous for its Basilica Della Santa Casa (Shrine of the Holy House) and then returned home to Savoy. As the eldest son and heir, he held the title of Seigneur de Villeroget. The Senate of Chambéry admitted him as a lawyer. Meanwhile, his father secured various positions for Francis, including an appointment as a senator. His father also chose a wealthy noble heiress as his bride, but Francis refused to marry, preferring to stay focused on his chosen path. His father initially refused to accept that Francis had chosen the priesthood rather than fulfill his expectations with a political-military career. His cousin, Canon Louis de Sales, persuaded the Bishop of Geneva, Claude de Granier, to obtain for Francis the position of provost of the cathedral chapter of Geneva, a post in the patronage of the pope. It was the highest office in the diocese; M. de Boisy yielded. After signing over to his younger brother, Louis, his title and right of succession, Francis was ordained in 1593. Priest and provost Because the Calvinists controlled Geneva, the bishop resided about twenty miles south, in Annecy. De Sales preached in the Cathedral of Annecy, at parish churches and before confraternities. He was an effective speaker; his voice was deep and rich in tone and his speech somewhat slow and measured. His sermons were comparatively short and without the customary displays of erudition. He avoided controversy and focused on a particular point of duty, a specific virtue or the correction of some vice. The cathedral chapter recommended that although he was only twenty-seven years of age, the provost be named Grand Penitentiary of the diocese, with the result that de Sales found himself taking many more confessions. Chamblais In 1594, the Duke of Savoy requested the Bishop to send a missioner to Chamblais, an area that had been long held by the Swiss and only recently returned to Savoy. The task would be both difficult and dangerous, and the most qualified for the assignment was the provost. Despite his family's objections, de Sales readily accepted. Accompanied only by his cousin, the Canon Louis, they made their base the fortress of Allinges to which the Governor of the Province, Baron d'Hermance, insisted they return each night. Gradually they expanded their efforts, with de Sales concentrating on Thonon-les-Bains, which had become almost completely Calvinist. He also attended the Savoyard soldiers garrisoned at Allinges. They met great opposition from the Geneva ministers, who accused de Sales of being a sorcerer. He moved to Thonon, where he boarded with a widow, who on one occasion hid him from some armed men. More than once, he escaped death at the hands of assassins. His mother managed to send him some linen and money, which he distributed to the poor. A good deal of his religious instruction was handled individually and privately. It was at this time that Francis began writing pamphlets which were later collected and published as The Catholic Controversy. Gradually, the mission began to show some small success. In 1599 he was appointed coadjutor bishop of Geneva. In 1602, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Henry IV of France to negotiate the restoration of Cat.... Discover the Saint Francis De Sales popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Saint Francis De Sales books.
Best Seller Saint Francis De Sales Books of 2024
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The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales
Jean Pierre CamusThe Spirit of a Saint we may, perhaps, regard as the underlying characteristic which pervades all his thoughts, words, and acts. It is the note which sounds throughout the constant...
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The Sermons of St. Francis De Sales
St. Francis de SalesThirteen beautiful sermons about Our Blessed Mother by this master of mystical theology and Doctor of the Church, published in English for the first time. Shows how Our Lady's life...
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The Heart of Perfection
Colleen Carroll CampbellWinner of the 2020 Catholic Press Association Book AwardIn a book hailed as “liberating” (Gary Chapman, New York Times bestselling author), an awardwinning author and mother of fou...
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The Sermons of St. Francis De Sales
St. Francis de SalesSteeped as he was in Sacred Scripture, St. Francis de Sales gives totally fresh and surprising insights into the truths of our religion including: the Sacred Name of Jesus, Our Lad...
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The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de SalesTwelve sermons on key aspects of the Christian life given during Lent, 1622fasting, how to resist temptation, the danger of losing one's soul, living faith vs. dead or dying faith,...
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The Spirit of St. Francis de Sales
Jean-Pierre CamusBlessed Francis de Sales thought very little of any virtue unless it was animated by charity; following in this the teaching of St. Paul, who declares that without charity the grea...
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Live Today Well
Thomas DaileyLiving the Christian life requires a strategy. Most of us won't get to heaven through heroic feats of sanctity, but by learning to live the devout life through our everyday activit...
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The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on Prayer
St. Francis de SalesShows how prayer is the key to all holiness. Shows the hidden meanings of Scripture (especially the Song of Songs) as applied to prayer. Great insights on Catholic doctrine and hol...
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Saints Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal
Bob Lord & Penny LordWhat 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 i...
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A Man of Good Zeal
John Edward BeahnA generation ago, those who wanted to learn more about Francis de Sales' life could turn to A Man of Good Zeal: A Novel Based on the Life of St. Francis de Sales, published by Amer...
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Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal
Wendy M. WrightThe lives and spiritual friendship of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal featuring a prayer, a chronology, and book club questions.The story of the extraordinary spir...
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The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de SalesDuring his life, Francis de Sales had a gift for giving spiritual direction to lay people living ordinary lives in the world. He firmly believed that everyone could grow in holines...
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Saint Francis de Sales
Joseph BoenziFather Joseph Boenzi, faithful son of Don Bosco, provides the reader with a comprehensive study of Francis de Sales and his spirituality. As both a true scholar and disciple, Fr. B...
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St. Francis De Sales
Louise Stacpoole-KennySt. Francis de Sales is famous in the Catholic world for his personality, as well as for his writings and other accomplishments. When he was being considered for beatification, 5,0...
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On a Mission
Patrick MadridIn this new book, Patrick Madrid uses the example of St. Francis de Sales to illustrate the zeal, spiritual principles, and attitude of one who sets out to live and share the faith...
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A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Francis de Sales
Rev. Alexander T. Pocetto, O.S.F.S.An Invitation from St. Francis de Sales Images of travel and voyages abound in the writings of St. Francis de Sales who encouragingly and alluringly invites those seeking his guida...
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The Month of Mary According to the Spirit of Saint Francis de Sales
Caspar GilliThis book details Marian devotions specifically for the month of May, according to the teachings of St. Francis de Sales (b. 1567 d. 1622).
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Falling in Love with God
Michel Tournade, OSFSAn Adaptation of the Introduction to the Devout Life &...