He understood the demands of everyday life and knew how to guide souls to holiness in the midst of it. A gifted writer and preacher, he was named a Doctor of the Church in 1877-particularly for the spiritual direction which his writings provided for lay people. Francis was known as the “Gentleman Saint” for his spirit of gentleness and courtesy. He combined a powerful intellect with an extraordinarily active apostolic life. Though he was accomplished and devoted in so many capacities, he was simply a bishop after Christ’s own heart: a man of action, incomparable zeal, and compassion for his flock. When he became Bishop of the Calvinist stronghold of Geneva, Switzerland-a place in which many Catholics had abandoned the True Faith-he converted as many as 70,000 souls. After a privileged upbringing and education in law and theology, he had rejected a lucrative personal and professional life in order to serve God as a priest. He was also a prolific writer and the founder of a religious order. Francis de Sales (1567–1622) was a theologian, mystic, missionary, and spiritual director.
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