[Lady In Blue]

ping

[nickcarraway]

BUMP for a doctor of the Church

[Salvation]

**Before offering the Holy Sacrifice, Francis went into a short retreat, during which he made several important resolutions. One of these was to use every moment of the day as a preparation for the morrow's Mass, so that if he were asked, "What are you doing at this moment?" he could always truly answer, "Preparing to celebrate Mass."**

What a wonderful resolve!

BTTT on 01-24-04

[Salvation]

Doctors of the Catholic Church

ST FRANCIS DE SALES IS THE DOCTOR OF AUTHORS AND THE CATHOLIC PRESS. HE IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE 'GENTLEMAN' SAINT BECAUSE OF HIS TREMENDOUS KINDNESS. HE IS THE PATRON OF JOURNALISTS AND A SUPERB MODEL FOR OVERCOMING TEMPTATION AND DEPRESSION.

FRANCIS WAS AN AMAZING BISHOP WHO CARED GENTLY FOR HIS FLOCK. ALTHOUGH HE HAD SPECIAL FAVORITE RELIGIOUS AND CLERGY FRIENDS, HE IDENTIFIED WITH THE LAITY ENORMOUSLY. WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE DEPRESSION OR TEMPTATION, READ AND IMPLORE FRANCIS TO HELP YOU. HE WRITES WISELY ABOUT WORRY AND ANXIETY WHICH IS SO PREVALENT IN TODAY'S WORLD.

FRANCIS' WRITINGS ON SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND COUNSEL ARE UNSURPASSED AND HE BELIEVED THAT ALL ARE CALLED TO BE SAINTS BECAUSE OF GOD'S UNLIMITED LOVE FOR EACH.

SAYINGS FROM HIS SPIRITUAL CLASSIC, INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE, ARE FOUND AT THE END.

St Francis de Sales, 1567-1622. Doctor of Authors and the Catholic Press, Feast Jan 24th.

[Salvation]

Women/Faith and Family

Saint Francis de Sales,
Bishop & Doctor of the Church
Memorial
January 24th

Portrait of St. Francis de Sales by J. J. Owens (early 20th century)

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) born in Thorens, Savoy, in France, was Bishop of Geneva; here he fought Calvinism vigorously. With St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation. He wrote Introduction to the Devout Life, a classic of spiritual direction. He died in Lyons and was canonized in 1665. In 1877, Pius IX proclaimed him Doctor of the Church. Pius XI declared him patron of journalists and other writers.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003