F R A N S A L I A N S

Francis de Sales was born on 21st August 1567 at Thorens, not far from Geneva in Switzerland and Annecy in the France.  The parents of Francis were Francis de Sales, generally known as M. de Boisy and Francoise de Sionnaz commonly known as Madame de Boisy.

 

On 20th September 1578, Francis received tonsure as he desired to become a priest and belong to the Church entirely. To receive tonsure at an early age was a custom followed in those days to which his father reluctantly consented.

 

Francis de Sales was born on 21st August 1567 at Thorens, not far from Geneva in Switzerland and Annecy in the France.  The parents of Francis were Francis de Sales, generally known as M. de Boisy and Francoise de Sionnaz commonly known as Madame de Boisy.

 

On 20th September 1578, Francis received tonsure as he desired to become a priest and belong to the Church entirely.  To receive tonsure at an early age was a custom followed in those days to which his father reluctantly consented.

 

In September 1578, Francis was sent to Paris for higher education. There he studied literature, philosophy and learned arts befitting nobles like fencing, riding, dance etc. This he did to fulfill the wishes of his father. He followed courses in theology for his own satisfaction.

 

In 1588, Francis completed his studies in Paris and returned to Savoy.  On 26th December 1588, he was sent to Padua, to pursue his studies further. He had only a short stay at home. In Padua, he studied civil and ecclesiastical law.  He also followed courses in theology.

 

On 5th September 1591, he completed his legal studies for a Doctorate in law and passed the examination with such great success that he won the admiration of his own professors and of all present. In February 1592, Francis returned to Savoy. He wanted to become a priest. His father was strongly opposed to it. On 24th November 1592, not to displease his father, he enrolled himself as an advocate at the Bar of Chambery.

 

It was while returning from Chambery on horseback that 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.

 

On 7th March 1593, Francis was appointed as Provost. Then Louis de Sales together with Francis approached M. de Boisy to seek his permission. Finally, the great old man gave in to the persuasion of Louis de Sales and others and granted his son permission to follow his vocation to the priesthood.

 

On 18th September 1593, Francis was ordained deacon, and on 18th December 1593, he was ordained a priest. After Christmas he was installed as Provost. As a priest he devoted himself to the spiritual renewal of Annecy. He preached in a simple style, taught catechism and tried to form a dedicated and devoted laity.

 

When the district of Chablais in Savoy embraced Calvinism, Francis was entrusted with the mission. Though the initial work proved extremely hard, Francis’s persevering efforts and confident optimism in God, brought the whole district back to the Catholic fold.

 

In the beginning of November 1602, Francis received the papal bulls of his nomination as Bishop, which due to poverty, he had not asked for earlier. On 8th December 1602, Francis was consecrated Bishop of Geneva

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