ST. FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL

St. Francis De Sales: A Person for all Seasons

 

St. Francis De Sales was born on 21st August 1567, at Thorens in Savoy (Now France) in a noble family. Being a bright student, he studied literature, philosophy, law and art at the university of Paris and Padua, befitting nobles to please his father who visualized a civil career for him. But as Francis wanted to be a priest, he studied theology for his own satisfaction. 

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After completing his studies, on his return to his hometown on horseback his belt got unbuckled and his sword fell to the ground. His sword came out of the scabbard with its point directed towards him. Francis understood this to be a clear sign that God wanted him to put aside the sword in order to become a Priest. With much reluctance his father allowed him to be a Priest. 

 

St. Francis believed that growth in genuine spiritual life and virtue depended not only on the grace of God but also on knowledge which he considered as the “Eighth Sacrament”. Humility, simplicity and gentleness were the hall mark of his life. As an author besides many sermons, letters and booklets, his two important masterpieces are the “Introduction to the Devout Life” (1608), which is relevant even today and the “Treatise on the Love of God” (1622). He left for his heavenly abode on 28th December 1622. 

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