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St.Francis De Sales - A Man For All Times

Introduction

The sixteenth century was an era of development for Literature and science and it owes a lot to men like Shakespeare and Galileo and many others. Christianity and its ideology were being tormented by different heresies and schisms that rose up. There emerged different leaders and fathers of the Church who defended and bore witness to Christ. One among such personalities during this century was St.Francis de Sales who was not only acknowledged for fighting against the false teachings, but also for evangelizing and strengthening the faith of the people of God.

Brief Life History :
St. Francis de Sales was born on 21st August in France as the eldest son of the family of thirteen children. Francis’ studies were lengthy and in 1591 he obtained his doctorate in Civil and Canon Law. During these years he also studied theology. He was a gifted young man, of brilliant, intellectual, persevering, purposeful, serene, affable, irresistibly charming, and above all, consumed with the love of God.
Even though he had realized the special call of God to priesthood, he waited for the apt time to respond to it. Therefore he joined the army as per the need of the country at that time. Later miraculously being saved from three accidents, he realized the indication of God’s call and joined the seminary. After going through the formation and with full consent of his parents he was ordained a priest and became a soldier for Christ. After this it was his duty to fight against the emerging Calvinism which tried to invade the faith of the people. Now, a man who came around the battle field with the sword in hand began to preach to all around in the streets with the Bible in hand. Literally he went door to door to teach about Christ. Even though many shut the door against him, he accepted the insults and went

proclaiming it through writing pamphlets and distributing them to all. St.Francis de Sales is the Patron of Writers, Journalists, Press and the Deaf.

The Holy Catholic Church has accepted him as a theologian, a mystic, a spiritual writer, a director of souls and the founder of a religious order. In him we find a marvelous fusion of two characteristics that are rarely seen together; astute thought and intense activity, leading to a spiritual life of extraordinary distinction. He brought back more than forty thousand souls in Chablais back to the Catholic Church from Calvanism through his perseverance.

He dreamt of establishing a congregation to continue his evangelization. With the support of his Lay- disciple, Madam Jane de Chantal, his dream came true that he opened a new monastery of Visitation nuns as the followers of Christ. Apart from this His exceptional and effective writings are still classified and acclaimed as  'classics'  by the Church and are used by many members of different congregations who follow his spirituality.

The Master Pieces of this Eminent Personality are :
  • INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE.
  • TREATISE ON THE LOVE OF GOD.
  • THE POSTHUMOUS SPIRITUAL DISCUSSIONS.

They spring from the experience of his pastoral activities and his deep interior life. St.Francis de Sales is the first one to speak on the 'Universal Call to Holiness' which is clearly echoed in the thoughts of Second Vatican Council. Pope Francis in his "GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE" reflects back the same idea to the present world.

As willed by God, St.Francis de Sales gave his spirit to the Lord, on 28th December 1622. Pope Alexander VII canonized him on 16th November 1877 proclaiming SFS holiness to the whole world. Though centuries have passed his holy life and his spirituality is still active and alive in life of many who have derived their inspiration from his spirituality.

SMMI- Charism and Mission :

As willed by our founder Fr.Henri Chaumont, we the sisters of Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate follow the life and spirituality of St. Francis de Sales by living our Charism "To Live the Gospel and spread its message as Salesian and Marian especially to women and the poor". We serve people through extending our mission in Pastoral, Education, Health care and Social works all over the world without any distinction of caste and creed. We are present in 20 countries around the globe.

Many a saint of his time was touched by this spirituality. We do rightly feel proud that number of Popes drew their inspiration from this noble saint. St.Francis de Sales continues to live through priests, religious, lay men and women to this day spreading the fragrance of his spirituality. We implore this, our saint to enable us to live with deep favour and be zealous missionaries like him.

When we see the Priest at the pulpit we listen to the Word of God with humble docility and pray to God to put on the lips of the priests the truth which touches and converts the hearts. She also prays to God to put in the hearts of all listeners the faith that enlightens, the hope that encourages and the charity that strengthens.