Francis de Sales served as the Roman Catholic bishop of Geneva from 1567-1622, but today he is primarily known for his writings on prayer and spiritual direction, particularly his work Introduction to the Devout Life.

As a young man, Francis studied for a political career, but he was deeply anxious for his salvation, prone to melancholy and despair, and was convinced that he has been predestined for damnation. In 1587, however, while a visitor at a church in Paris, he had a profound experience of the love of God. This sense of God’s love and mercy would mark his writings on the spiritual life from that time forward. In response to this overwhelming sense of God’s love, Francis changed his trajectory and resolved to become a priest.

In 1602 he became bishop of Geneva, although he was forced to remain in the parts of his diocese that were outside of the city, since Geneva itself was under Calvinist control. He wrote a number of books on the spiritual life which stressed the importance of love for God and neighbor rather than focusing on sin and penance, and which were notable in being directed towards laypeople. The influence of his Introduction to the Devout Life was not limited to Roman Catholic circles, but exerted an influence on Protestant spiritual writers as well, including many Anglicans. In addition to his writing, Francis worked with Jane de Chantal in her foundation of a new religious order for women, the Congregation of the Visitation.

Jane de Chantal was a wealthy young widow whose husband had died, leaving her with four small children. In her grief, she resolved never to remarry. She devoted herself instead to caring for the poor and the sick, to raising her children, and to managing her late husband’s estates. Francis de Sales would become her spiritual director in 1604.

In 1610, Francis and Jane established the Congregation of the Visitation. Initially devoted to serving the poor and the sick, the order gradually evolved in a more contemplative direction. During Jane’s 31 years in the community, she gave spiritual direction to a number of women and men in the form of letters, many of which have been preserved. Unusually, her order actively welcomed women as sisters who would not be considered by other orders because of their poor health or advanced age. When others questioned the wisdom of this decision, Jane merely replied, “What would you have me do? I rather like sick people myself. I'm on their side.” By the time she died in 1641, the order had already grown to include 34 houses.

[December 12: FRANCIS DE SALES, Bishop, AND JANE DE CHANTAL, Vowed Religious,

1622 and 1641]

I Most Gracious God, who hast bidden us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before thee; Grant that we, like thy servants Francis and Jane, may see and to serve Christ in all people, and know him as the giver of all good things; Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

II Most Gracious God, who has bidden us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before you; Grant that we, like your servants Francis and Jane, may see and serve Christ in all people, and know him as the giver of all good things; Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lessons and Psalm

Judges 6:11–24

Psalm 34

Mark 12:41–44

Preface of a Saint (3)