Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales, CO OM OFM Cap.was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God...
NationalitySwiss
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth21 August 1567
CountrySwitzerland
Fear is a greater evil than evil itself.
God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.
God requires a faithful fulfillment of the merest trifle given us to do, rather than the most ardent aspiration to things to which we are not called.
Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.
Humor is the foundation of reconciliation.
The enemy often tries to make us attempt and start many projects so that we will be overwhelmed with too many tasks, and therefore achieve nothing and leave everything unfinished. Sometimes he even suggests the wish to undertake some excellent work that he foresees we will never accomplish. This is to distract us from the prosecution of some less excellent work that we would have easily completed. He does not care how many plans and beginnings we make, provided nothing is finished.
All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be.
What son would not bring his mother back to life and would not bring her into paradise after her death if he could?
Lately I was near the beehives and some of the bees flew onto my face. I wanted to raise my hand, and brush them off. 'No,' said a peasant to me, 'do not be afraid, and do not touch them. They will not sting you at all, if you touch them they will bite you.' I trusted him; not one bit me. Trust me; do not fear these temptations. Do not touch them; they will not hurt you.
We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence. Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.
By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God. Begin all your prayers in the presence of God.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.