St. Francis de Sales

"Be who you are and be that well"

One of my resolutions for the year was to learn more about the Saints.  I decided we would do that by choosing a Saint each month and learning about him or her, what they did and taught, how they lived, etc.

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"Be patient with everyone, but above all with thyself.  Do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage."

St. Francis de Sales is our January Saint, and today is his feast day.  St. Francis de Sales died in 1622 and is the patron of attorneys and educators and writers and the deaf.  He wrote Introduction to the Devout Life-which you can find for free! here in print and here as an audio version (read by a nice lady, not a machine.  I'm going to listen next week.)  Here's a nice (long) biography.  

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness.  Nothing so gentle as real strength."  

We've been reading this book
and really enjoying it.  It's very simple, practical, common sense advice and encouragement for living.

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving.  Begin as a mere apprentice and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.  

He's said so many things that I've loved for a long time that I never knew came from him.

"Bloom where you are planted."

That was one of my Mom's favorite sayings.  He said that!  I'm hoping that today I will have the chance to plant a little something with the girls and talk about that-blooming where we are planted.  Such a lovely image.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow.  The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and everyday.  Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.  Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.  

Thank you St. Francis de Sales, for your example and wisdom!  Happy Feast Day!