St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
“Be what you are and be at its best.”
St. Francis de Sales is the heavenly patron of the MSFS Congregation, which runs educational institutions all over India and abroad. He was born in France in 1567 in an aristocratic family. He is known as the “Gentleman Saint.”
He is a Doctor of the Church and the Patron of journalists. As a missionary,preacher, educationalist, writer, humanist and the Bishop of Geneva, Francis
advocated universal sanctity for all categories of people.He made himself “all to all” through his inspiring words and selfless service to fellowmen. His book “An Introduction to the Devout Life’ and ‘Treatise on the Love of God’ have ensured a singular position for him in French literature. He is the one who said”, Bloom where you are planted and “Be what you are and be at its best.”
Francis died in 1622 but continues to inspire men and women by his simplicity and lucidity. Several religious congregations have sprung up under his patronage in the Catholic Church.
