View from Main Street - Circa 1920
View from Main Street - Circa 1920
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 Highlights of a Saint . . . Born in a castle to a wealthy family, Francis' parents wanted him to become a lawyer, enter politics, and continue the family line. Yet Francis was drawn to Jesus at an early age. He heard a message telling him to "Leave all and follow Me." Francis took this as a call to the priesthood, a move his family opposed. Nevertheless, Francis obeyed his parents and studied law at the University of Padua. He also studied theology and followed a devote prayer life. His gentle ways eventually won over the family and he entered the priesthood in 1593. As a young priest, Francis faced danger by preaching in areas that had con- verted from the Catholic doctrine, and his gentle ways brought many back to the Roman Church. Francis had a great love for the poor and was a friend of St. Vincent de Paul. He was admired for his goodness, patience and mildness. Together with St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the order of the Visitation. Francis was a prolific writer and left many classic works to nourish our souls. HIs most famous work, Intro- duction to a Devout Life, showed how even ordinary life can be sanctified and dedicated to God. His main concern was to lead each reader to the love of God and the imitation of Christ. QUOTATIONS . . . . -Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself. -Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs. -Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. -When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time. -Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. -Be who you are and be that well. FRANCIS ON PRAYING. . . "Most of us wouldn't come away from a walk in a beautiful garden without having picked a few flowers, observed St. Francis de Sales. Likewise, he said, before leaving our morning prayer, we should pick one or two inspiring thoughts and "remind ourselves of them during the day, breathing in their fragrance." From Becoming a Praying Person, by Kevin Perrotta Credits: Angie Valentino, Barbara Ahouse, the Internet & St. Francis de Sales. | January 24 _______________ About St. Francis: Patron Saint of Our Church Born: Chȃteau de Sales in Thorens, Savoy, August 1567.. In 1602 (age 35) he was made bishop of Geneva.. Beatified 1622 (year he died) by Pope Alexander the VII.. Died Age 55 in Lyons, France, December 28, 1622.. Canonized 1665 by Pope Alexander VII.. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877.. Declared patron saint of jounalists, writers and the Catholic press in 1923..  POPULAR WRITINGS.. Introduction to the Devout Life Exercises of Virtue Treatise on the Love of God Sermons of St. Francis on Prayer ************ Father
in heaven, You prompted St. Francis de Sales to become all things to
all men for the salvation of men. May his example inspire us to
dedicated love in the service of our brothers. Amen |