(1567-1622)

Francis was destined by his father to be a lawyer so that the young man could eventually take his elder’s place as a senator from the province of Savoy in France. For this reason Francis was sent to Padua to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he returned home and, in due time, told his parents he wished to enter the priesthood. His father strongly opposed Francis in this, and only after much patient persuasiveness on the part of the gentle Francis did his father finally consent. Francis was ordained and elected provost of the Diocese of Geneva, then a center for Calvinists. Francis set out to convert them, especially in the district of Chablais. By preaching and distributing the little pamphlets he wrote to explain true Catholic doctrine, he had remarkable success.

At 35 he became bishop of Geneva. While administering his diocese he continued to preach, hear confessions and catechize the children. His gentle character was a great asset in winning souls. He practiced his own axiom, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.”

Besides his two well-known books, the Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, he wrote many pamphlets and carried on a vast correspondence. For his writings, he has been named patron of the Catholic Press. His writings, filled with his characteristic gentle spirit, are addressed to lay people. He wants to make them understand that they too are called to be saints. As he wrote in The Introduction to the Devout Life: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to say devotion is incompatible with the life of a soldier, a tradesman, a prince, or a married woman.... It has happened that many have lost perfection in the desert who had preserved it in the world. ”

In spite of his busy and comparatively short life, he had time to collaborate with another saint, Jane Frances de Chantal, in the work of establishing the Sisters of the Visitation. These women were to practice the virtues exemplified in Mary’s visit to Elizabeth: humility, piety and mutual charity. They at first engaged to a limited degree in works of mercy for the poor and the sick. Today, while some communities conduct schools, others live a strictly contemplative life.

The presentation used during Anna Marie Wright's "Wearing Both Hats: Doing Youth Ministry Effectively Without Short-Changing Either" workshop at NCCYM 2008.

The supplemental handout used during Joan Weber's "Engaging Youth in Intergenerational Catechesis" workshop at NCCYM 2008.

The presentation used during Joan Weber's "Engaging Youth in Intergenerational Catechesis" workshop at NCCYM 2008.

The presentation used during Leigh Sterten's "Youth 2.0: How Do We Use the New Technology to Engage and Form Young People?" workshop at NCCYM 2008

The presentation used during Michael Patin's "The Passion Epidemic" workshop at NCCYM 2008.  To get the downloadable audio
recording of this session click here.

The handout provided for Brian Singer-Towns' "Biblical Literacy Made Easy" workshop at NCCYM 2008.  To get the downloadable audio recording of this session click here.

The presentation used during Brian Singer-Towns' "Biblical Literacy Made Easy" workshop at NCCYM 2008.  To get the downloadable audio recording of this session click here.

A supplemental handout provided for Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale's "Authorizing Lay Ecclesial Ministers" workshop at NCCYM 2008.  To get the downloadable audio recording of this session click here.

The presentation used during Dr. Charlotte McCorquodale's "Authorizing Lay Ecclesial Ministers: Issues, Models, and More" workshop at NCCYM 2008.  To get the downloadable audio recording of this session click here.