Today January 24

Today is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, 1567 - 1622. Last year I wrote this about him:

Today is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales. Brilliant, well-to-do, sensitive and "he never did things by halves," Francis was a Jesuit-trained philosophy and theology major in the capital city of his country. Fiercely Catholic, feeling sorry for the Protestants, he embarked on a religious life, much to the opposition of his parents. They had hoped he would pursue a more worldly career. He was often under attack, but the patience and strength of character for which he was justly famous protected and vindicated him. He was a prolific writer -- "Introduction to the Devout Life" has never been out of print. He was responsible for many converts, rode fearlessly on his horse through Protestant Geneva (where just being a Catholic could cost you your life), founded the Order of the Visitation (Visitandines), and had many platonic female friends. He is a doctor of the church and patron saint of writers.

To his dear friend Jane de Chantal, he wrote, "I am nothing if not a man." Which goes a long way to explain his sanctity and self-knowledge. He didn't immediately call himself St. Jane's spiritual director, but he did write "God has given me to you; believe me to be yours in Him, and call me what you will -- it does not matter." He faced many distractions that tried to prevent him from writing to her, which he attributed to the devil. But he always did manage to see her, speak with her and write to her, "Because with you I speak as I do with my own heart." I believe them to have been good for each other, separated though they often were. He snapped her out of her depression and gave her outwardly-directed advice which resulted in the teaching and service order of the Visitandines; she on her part got him to see himself as he truly was, lighten up on himself a little and redouble his efforts for the lay apostolate, his special vocation, as important now as it was then, if not more so. It is Balthasar's contention that it is always the laity (and the clergy operating outside of the schools) who will renew and revitalize the appreciation and value of Catholic culture.

The Church agrees. His beatification process started the year after his death in 1622; he was the first person EVER canonized in the new basilica of St. Peter's in 1662 and he was declared a doctor in 1877.

That about says it. I would like only to add that this "shepherd of kings and commoners, sinners and saints," who wrote with "the incredible power of his words" the beautiful and enlightening (and long) "Introduction to the Devout Life" also wrote a book called "The Catholic Controversy." The Controversy is an even more captivating read. I recommend it. It sets down all -- or most (some of it was lost) -- of Catholic teaching -- but in an in-your-face kind of way. It's apologetics with teeth and spurs; it's big-boy stuff written in those pre-politically correct days and by the end proves its point against the Protestant position. Although for its time it was remarkable fair and even gentle, it would probably be condemned as too triumphalist and controversial now. Anyway, thank you for writing all that you did, dear St. Francis de Sales. Pray for us.