St. Francis de Sales | Notable Biographies

(1567/08/21 - 1622/12/28)

St. Francis de Sales
Prelate and French Catholic writer

He was born 21 August 1567 at Thorens (France), in a noble family of Savoy, he was baptized the next day in the parish church of Thorens, with the name of Francisco Buenaventura. During its lifetime it would be its patron St. Francis of Assisi. The room where he was born was called "the room of San Francisco", because there was an image of the "Poverello" preaching to the birds and the fish in it.
He studied at the Jesuit School of Clermont, in Paris and at the University of Padua. Awarded in 1591, the degree of doctor of laws at the latter institution, and was ordained a priest two years later.
In 1594, he is sent to Chablais, an ancient region of the Duchy of Savoy, to convert to the Calvinists. In 1602 he was appointed Bishop of Geneva. In 1610 he collaborated in the founding of the order of the visitation of our Lady, dedicated to persons excluded by physical problems into other orders.
His works known religious classics include Introduction to the devout life (1609) and treatise on the love of God, as well as numerous letters and sermons.
Francis de Sales died 28 December 1622 in Lyon . It is said to make autopsy found her liver hardened like a stone. This is explained by the enormous violence which had to make this man of strong character to be and appear friendly, delicate and kind treatment.
In the year 1665 him they canonizaron. The miracles that began to be obtained through her intercession were so numerous, that the Holy Father declared him a Saint when just 40 years ago that she had died. In 1877, Pope Pius IX declared Doctor of the Church. Considered the Holy patron of Catholic, writers and the journalistsince 1922 her feast is celebrated on 24 January.