St Francis de Sales- Patron of Spiritual Direction

Francis de Sales, C.O., T.O.M., A.O.F.M. Cap., was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a Saint and Doctor of the Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God.

St Francis taught there are two elements in the spiritual life: first, a struggle against our lower nature; secondly, union of our wills with God in other words, penance and love. St. Francis de Sales looks chiefly to love. Not that he neglects penance, which is absolutely necessary, but he wishes it to be practiced from a motive of love.

He relies first on mortification of the mind, the will, and the heart. This interior mortification he requires to be unceasing and always accompanied by love. The end to be realized is a life of loving, simple, generous, and constant fidelity to the will of God, which is nothing else than our present duty. The model proposed is Christ, whom we must ever keep before our eyes. "You will study His countenance, and perform your actions as He did.” (Introd., 2nd part, ch. i). The practical means of arriving at this perfection are: remembrance of the presence of God, faithful prayer, a right intention in all our actions, and frequent recourse to God.

–A Prayer from St Francis de Sales

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, 

God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, 

God will carry you in His arms. 

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; 

the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. 

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.