Monday, January 24, Third Week in Ordinary Time
Third illustration from left, St. Francis de Sales with St. Frances de Chantal; extreme right, the statue of St. Francis in St. Peter's Basilica.
ST. FRANCOIS [Francis] DE SALES (France 1567-1622), Bishop, Writer, Doctor of the Church
Born to a noble family in Savoy, Francis had the best education possible in his time, with degrees from the universities of Paris and Padua. He chose to become a priest over the civil career his family expected him to pursue. Because of their connections, he was appointed Provost of Geneva by its bishop. Geneva was the center of the Calvinist movement, and Francis dedicated himself to converting Calvinists, writing catechetical pamphlets for that purpose. He was a spellbinding preacher, a gentle pastor and ascetic in his own life. At age 35, he became Bishop of Geneva but continued to preach, hear confessions and catechize children. He wrote two books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, along with many pamphlets and a vast correspondence. His writings, characterized by his gentleness, are addressed to lay people, to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. With St. Frances de Chantal, he founded the Sisters of the Visitation whose members can choose to do community work or a contemplative life. He was canonized in 1661, not long after his death, and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1877, In 1963, he was named the patron saint of writers and journalists. He inspired St. John Bosco who named the religious order he founded Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB).
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/nab/readings/012411.shtml
No OR today.
PAPAL EVENTS TODAY
The Holy Father met today with
- Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity
- Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialog
- Delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany. Address in German.
The Vatican today released"
- The Holy Father's Message for the World Day of Social Communications
- The Holy Father's schedule of liturgical celebrations from February to April
- A communique on the recent meeting in Bangalore of CDF theologians with the bishops and theologians of India
- The Holy Father's telegram of condolence for the death of Madame Tullia Zevi, former president of the
Union of Italian Jewish Communities