Jan. 30, 2022 – St. Francis de Sales
This past week included the feast day of St. Francis de Sales. He is a Saint I desire to learn much more about and read much more of his writings. He was the Bishop of Geneva in the late 1500s, during the heated time of the Protestant Reformation.
Thus he had to do a lot of clear teaching about Catholic Christianity, during a time of much confusion. But it was not just that he was smart and knew his faith well and able to teach the Catholic Faith with clarity, but also he taught with warm charity. That many people, Catholic and Protestant alike were moved not only by his clear teaching about the faith, but his charm, warmth, and kindness. That he was a genuinely kind and loving man and people, friends and opponents of his alike, experienced this in him.
There is a story that once when he was on a journey, he was chased by wolves, and had to climb a tree to get away from the wolves and stayed there all night. The next day a Protestant family found the exhausted bishop sleeping in a tree, and took him to their home and cared for him. They were all so moved by his warmth and kindness towards them (as they cared for him), that they all converted to the Catholic faith.
Furthermore, in his deep care for his people, Francis de Sales helped guide many people to learn how to live out holiness in the midst of their busy lives as working people, spouses, and parents in the world. We have many of his writings and letters to his people in various circumstances and walks of life, encouraging them to holiness, suggesting spiritual practices, but also reminding them to be kind patient and gentle with themselves.
He even wrote some guidelines for people trying to live holiness in the world, that is now considered a Catholic “Spiritual classic” titled “An Introduction to the Devout Life.”
Finally, he also modeled holiness in his friendship with another Saint, St. Jane de Chantal. After she was widowed, Francis de Sales became her spiritual mentor and spiritual father, and they developed a deep friendship that inspired both of them to deeper holiness. They are often looked to as a model of what a truly healthy and holy Christian friendship can look like.
May we look to St. Francis as a model of how to share the truth with love and charity, to be reminded that we can live out holiness in our ordinary everyday busy lives, and a model of what deep loving friendship can look like.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
PS: After Masses this weekend the priests will be offering the St. Blaise blessing of throats (As his Feast day is Feb. 3)
PPS: Wednesday, Feb. 2 is the Feast of the Presentation. We will have a special 6:30 pm Mass on Wednesday that will include a special blessing of candles. While those in St. Mark’s Faith Formation Program will be there, it is open to ALL and ALL are invited to come and be a part of the special Mass!
