Saint Francis of Sales

I was born to a noble family in Geneva, Switzerland in 1567. I was considered a gifted young man of brilliant intellect, persevering, purposeful, serene, affable, irresistibly charming, and - the only thing really important - consumed with the love of God from a young age. But my father wanted me to pursue a career in politics and law. I attended the University of Paris and received a doctorate in law in Padua, Italy. Anyway, I never lost my passion for God. After much discussion with my father, I was ordained a priest in 1593. I lived during the Protestant Reformation, near a Calvinist territory, and I desired to bring the Calvinists back to the Catholic Church. I wrote brief pamphlets explaining the true Catholic doctrine and slipped them under the door of houses. Many people decided to return to the Catholic Church. I formed alliances with Pope Clement VIII and Henry IV of France, whom I joined on a diplomatic mission in 1601. In 1602 I was ordained Bishop of Geneva. In 1610, together with Jane de Chantal, I founded a religious community, called The Order of Visitation. I always worked too much, but was greatly appreciated as a spiritual director. Often I gave spiritual direction through letters. After several periods of illness, I died in 1622.