“The measure of love is to love without measure”, the quote of St. Francis de Sales – reputed writer, preacher and debater of the Catholic faith underlines his motto, “He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.”
Sales acknowledged God’s measureless love and call to love others.
God’s sacrifice of His only son to save humankind is our best gift, he believed.
Sales felt that God is love and preached Catholic spirituality as, ‘Way of Divine Love’, or ‘The Devout Life’.
Commonly known as, ‘The Gentleman Saint’, Sales was spirited with cheerfulness, hope, freedom and confidence in God’s love which prompted the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales to please God by doing everything – big or small – enthusiastically.
Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva –
Sales, was recognized for his faith and approach to religious divisions, then, prevailing in his land. His writings on the topics of direction and formation, particularly the, ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’, and, ‘Treatise on the Love of God’, are legendary.
The only child of a noble family of Savoy, Sales, was handsome and well built with blue-grey eyes, gifted with a purpose, intellect and charm, but was reserved and quiet while he was always welcome in the homes of the nobility. In 1586, Sales attended a theological discussion about predestination that convinced him of his damnation to hell.
A personal crisis of despair resulted therein. This conviction lasted through December 1586. This despair made him ill. Later, in December or early January 1587, he visited the parish of Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Paris, and prayed the, ‘Memorare’, in front of Our Lady of Good Deliverance – a Black Madonna. He consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, dedicating his life to God, with a vow of chastity. He then became a tertiary of the Minim Order. Sales, believed that God had only good for us, because, “God is love”, as John’s First Epistle, attests.
Thus the devotion to God expelled his doubts and also influenced his life and teachings. Sales completed his studies at College de Clermont and enrolled at the University of Padua in Italy, where he studied law and theology.
His spiritual director was a Jesuit, Antonio Possevino.
Sales, greatest achievement was when he developed a sign language to teach a deaf man about God, thus he is called the patron saint of deaf and adult education.
In 1923, Pope Pius XI proclaimed him a patron of writers and journalists, because he made use of broadsheets and books in his spiritual direction and efforts to convert the Calvinists.
Works of Sales:
Sales authored the book, ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’, specially meant for lay people and women.
In it he counseled charity over penance as a means of progressing in spiritual life.
Sales left behind the mystical work, ‘Treatise on the Love of God’, and many letters of spiritual direction.
Globally, there are several Institutions named after St. John de Sales.
Founder:
Sales, founded the women’s Order of the, ‘Visitation of Holy Mary (Visitandines)’, in Annecy on 6 June 1610. Denis-Simon de Marquemont, the Archbishop, requested the order’s members to maintain cloistered lives.
St. Francis de Sales preached, “If God is with me, I care not where I go”.
This quote can strengthen us when faced with difficulties and troubles and we have to be strong in faith and belief that God will straighten our paths.
Sales, would say, when difficulties come our way, laugh in its face and know that you are in the hands of God, as laughing helps us in any situation.
Laughter is an amazing gift of God, he said.
Sales, teaches us not to despair, but to believe and look forward for God’s love, believing that He will shield and strengthen us in our trials. Sales, said that people in all walks are called to a devout life which is highly possible and wonderful.
By Francisca Fatima da Costa