As we hear Jesus appointing his 12 apostles in the Gospel today in order to have others to collaborate in his ministry and in his proclamation of God’s kingdom, we celebrate a great saint who preached Christ’s message in the midst of great challenges: St Francis de Sales. He was born in the 1567 in the kingdom of Savoy near Geneva Switzerland in an area that was greatly affected by the Protestant Reformation which took place in the decades prior to his birth. His family sent him to Italy to study to be a lawyer so that he would be trained to serve in the senate in Savoy, following in the footsteps of his family members. However, he decided to enter the priesthood, being ordained for the Diocese of Geneva. He was named as Bishop of Geneva at the age of 35. As a priest and as a bishop, he worked for peace and understanding with the people of this strongly Protestant region. He devoted much time to catechesis and to the conversion of souls. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly in the books Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God. Pope Pius IX named him as Doctor of the Church in 1877. I want to end with a prayer of his that very much speaks to us today in our modern world.
Do not look forward in fear to the changes and chances of this life; Rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise,God, to whom you belong will in His love enable you to profit by them. He has guided you thus far in life, and He will lead you safely through all trials; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. Amen.
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