Saint Talk: St. Francis de SalesDoctor of the Church

By Father Lawrence Lew, OP

Today the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church.

St. Francis was born to a "noble and pious family." By all accounts he was a great student at the University of Paris and the University of Padua. He was well on his way to a successful career as a lawyer, which was his father's wish. Instead, he answered the call to the priesthood. He was instrumental in responding to the Calvinist movement during the 17th century. Eventually Francis would become the Bishop of Geneva.

His best known work, Introduction to the Devout Life holds the test of time as a guide for lay Catholics who are seeking to develop a closer relationship with Christ. He is the patron of writers.

Additional Reading:

St. Francis de Sales, Catholic.org

St. Francis de Sales, EWTN

For those would like to learn more about St. Francis de Sales from video, here's a one hour video from EWTN: