Spiritual Reflection

Today is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales.  I am pleased to honor him for several reasons.  One of my favorite priests who passed away a few years ago was pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in Tucson, Arizona and it was the church where I celebrated mass as a newly ordained priest.  The parish church began in the chapel of the seminary where I was stationed.  Even more meaningful to me was how special St. Francis was to St. Vincent de Paul.  Vincent de Paul was moved by the spirituality and the writings of St. Francis.

Francis de Sales was instrumental in converting so many people during the Protestant reformation.  While he was Bishop of Geneva he preached conversion and if they wouldn’t listen to his sermons, he would put flyers under people’s doors.  He did his ministry with great humility and patience and was named the Gentleman Saint.  He eventually was declared a Doctor of the Church.  He influenced so many with his preaching and writings.  But I, like Vincent de Paul, am so inspired by his gentleness and grace of ministry.  I guess I wish there was more of that in our world today.  I better be sure I do my part!