Feastday St. Francis: January the 24th
When did St. Francis live: 21 August 1567 - 28 December 1622
Biography of St. Francis:
St. Francis of Sales was born near Anncey (France) of pious and noble parents in 1576 a.D.. He studied at the College of Clermont in Paris and received his doctorate in law in Padua, but when he returned to France he became priest and gave up the grand career marked out for him by his father. He worked to restore the Church in the Chablais, a province of the Duchy of Savoy. Although it was not easy to convert the Calvinists and even though he was rejected with insults and threats, he endured and baptised many people. He was appointed coadjutor to the Bishop of Geneva and succeeded to the see in 1602 a.D.. In collaboration with Saint Jane Frances de Chantal he founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in 1610 a.D.. He died during a voyage to Lyon in 1622 a.D.. Known for his meekness and his gentleness towards the sinners, he became famous for his books and tracts.
Statues and sculptures of St. Francis - portrayal, imagery and emblem: The sculptures represent the bishop St. Francis of Sales with the crosier, a book and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Patronage St. Francis: Patron of journalists and writers