Keeping the Company of the Saints: St. Francis de Sales

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew." 

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

When I saw Meredith's reminder about this week's Keeping the Company of the Saints, St. Francis de Sales immediately came to my mind. There are many saints that I like who I turn to and who inspire me, including, but not limited to, St. Joseph, St. Catherine of Siena (she was my favorite saint when I was growing up), St. Bernadette Soubirous, St. John Bosco, St. Therese of Lisieux and her parents, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Claude de la Colombiere, and St. Jean Marie Vianney. So, why did St. Francis de Sales come to my mind? I think that it is due to the fact that through his writings, this Doctor of the Church speaks to and inspires me.

"Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God, trusting to His eternal love for you; and if you find that you have wandered forth from this shelter, recall your heart quietly and simply. Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext."

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

Over the years, I have read An Introduction to the Devout Life (I have an older copy of this book) several times and each time that I have done so, I have found myself pausing and thinking, "I don't remember reading that before, but I so needed to hear it." St. Francis de Sales' writing is so deep that I benefit from it in different ways each time that I read this book. I need the spiritual direction that this great saint offers.

"Kiss frequently the crosses which the Lord sends you, and with all your heart, without regarding of what sort they may be; for the more vile and mean they are, the more they deserve their name. The merit of crosses does not consist in their weight, but in the manner in which they are borne. It may show much greater virtue to bear a cross of straw than a very hard and heavy one, because the light ones are also the most hidden and condemned, aud therefore least conformable to our inclination, which always seeks what is showy."

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

St. Francis de Sales also appeals to me because he had a deep love for our Blessed Mother and consecrated himself to her. In fact, he promoted not only devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but also to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort said that St. Francis de Sales was one of the greatest Marian saints. I cannot help but think that our Blessed Mother had and has a deep love for St. Francis de Sales too.

"Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence."
~ St. Francis de Sales ~

By the grace of God, St. Francis de Sales brought many of the residents of Le Chablais back to the One True Faith that was founded by Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church. On December 8, 1602, during the time of the "Protestant Reformation", St. Francis de Sales was made the Bishop of Geneva. Along with St. Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Francis de Sales established the Institute of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonized in 1665 by Pope Alexander VII and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877. St. Francis de Sales is one of the many incorruptible saints.

"My past no longer concerns me. It belongs to Divine mercy. My future does not yet concern me. It belongs to Divine providence. What concerns me and what challenges me is today, which belongs to God's grace and to the devotion of my heart and my good will."

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

St. Francis de Sales, ora pro nobis!

I am joining Meredith at Sweetness and Light for Keeping the Company of the Saints.