Our Patron
The heavenly patron of the MSFS Congregation and of our school.
Our Patron St. Francis De Sales
St. Francis de Sales is the heavenly patron of the MSFS Congregation. He was born in France in 1567. He is known as the Gentleman Saint.
He is a Doctor of the Church and the patron of journalists everywhere. As a missionary, preacher, educationalist, writer, humanist, and the Bishop of Geneva, Francis advocated universal sanctity for all categories of people. He made himself “all to all “ through his inspiring words and selfless service to fellowmen.
His books ‘ An introduction to the Devout Life’ and ‘Treatise on the Love of God, have ensured a singular position for him in French literature.
Francis died in 1622 but continues to inspire men and women by his simplicity and lucidity. Several religious Congregations have sprung up under his patronage in the Catholic Church.
ST FRANCIS DE SALES
- Date of Birth
- 21 August 1567
- Place of Birth
- Thorens, Savoy, near Geneva in Switzerland
- Parents
- Monsieur de Boisy and Francoise de Sionnaz
- Early Schooling
- La Roche, near Thorens and Chappuis at Annecy
- First Communion
- 17 December 1575 in the Church of St. Dominic
- Higher Education
- 1578 in the University of Sorbonne, Paris
- Completion of Studies
- 1588
- Doctorate in Law
- 05 September 1591, Padua
- Ordained Deacon
- 18 September 1593
- Ordained Priest
- 18 December 1593 by Bishop De Granier
- Consecrated Bishop
- 08 December 1602 as Bishop of Geneva
- Introduction to Devout Life
- 1608 (The famous devotional classic)
- Founded the Visitation Congregation
- 06 June 1610
- Treatise on the Love of God
- 1616
- Died
- 28 December 1622 (Feast of Holy Innocents)
- Beatified
- 28th December 1661, by Pope Alaxander VII
- Canonized
- 9th April 1665 by the same Pope
- Declared Doctor of the Church
- 16 November 1877 by Pope Pius IX
- Patron of writers and journalist
- 1923 by Pope Pius XI
“Everything by love and nothing by force”
