Sermons of St. Francis de Sales on Prayer: On Prayer, Paperback/Francis

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The saintly bishop, Founder, and Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales, is known throughout the Catholic world for his great gentleness and understanding of the human soul. During his lifetime, he converted and guided innumerable souls and reconverted thousands from Calvinism back to the Catholic Faith. Here St. Francis de Sales shows how prayer is the key to all holiness. In simple words and colorful imagery he explains the profoundest secrets of sanctity. He often quotes the words of Sacred Scripture, pointing out their hidden meaning as applied to the value and practice of prayer. About the Author: St. Francis de Sales was born in 1567 to Francois and Francoise de Boisy in what is currently Haute-Savoie, France. His father sent him to a good school when he was young, and he received spiritual formation from the Jesuits. After a disturbing spiritual fear of being condemned, he eventually resolved his problem and decided to dedicate his life to God in 1587. He became a doctor of law at the age of 24 at the Jesuit College of Clermont, Paris, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Claude de Granier and stationed in Geneva in 1593. He became bishop of Geneva in 1602. Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide, as well as a work entitled Set Your Heart Free, edited by John Kirvan. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life , his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He died in 1622 on December 28, and was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.