Francisof Sales

Francis of Sales (1567-1622), the author of the Introduction to a Devout Life, was born at the castle of Sale, near Annecy, in Savoy. He entered the Jesuits' school at Paris in 1578, and afterwards studied civil law at Padua for seven years. Refusing a brilliant marriage, he took orders, and soon became a good preacher. After the great success of his mission (in which persuasion was liberally backed by stronger measures) among the Calvinists of Chablais, he was induced to accept the position of ' coadjutor to the Bishop of Geneva, on whose death 'he succeeded to his see. He declined several offers of French bishoprics and also a cardinalate, and 1 laboured in his own diocese to the last. He died three days after Christmas in 1622, and was canonised by Alexander VII. in 1665, January 29 being appointed as his festival. His great work has been translated into numerous languages, and has always remained popular. Lives of him by Hamon, Perennes, and Mrs. Lear have been issued within recent years.