As Bishop of Geneva, St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) labored untiringly to convert Protestants and to teach and defend our holy Faith. He helped St. Jane Frances de Chantal found the Visitation Nuns. St. Francis de Sales is the patron of the Catholic Press, educators, writers, journalists, and deaf persons.
Along with three main reflections by St. Francis de Sales (in italics), we present several relevant Bible verses, as well as more quotes by him and other saints as well.
The community is animated by the spirit and example of St. Francis, “the Knight-Errant of Assisi.” With him as their model, the Knights are directed toward incarnating the noble virtues of spiritual knighthood in themselves. St. Francis’s spirit is one of deep faith, fiery enthusiasm for Christ, and readiness to battle spiritually for His kingdom on earth.
Devotion to the Holy Eucharist is one of the characteristic elements of the Franciscan movement. This is clearly manifested in the writings and devotion of St. Francis himself and in those of his followers throughout the centuries. The Knights especially take to heart the first of his Admonitions where, speaking of the devotion his followers are to have for the Body and Blood of the Lord, he said that we seeing “bread and wine with our bodily eyes, see and firmly believe that they are His most holy Body and Blood living and true. And in this way the Lord is always with His faithful, as He Himself says, ‘Behold, I am with you until the end of the age’ [cf. Mt. 28:20]”
Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Every great reform has in some way been linked to the rediscovery of belief in the Lord’s Eucharistic presence among his people.” The Knights, like St. Francis, strive to be instruments of renewal and reform by helping others become aware of and experience the Lord’s Eucharistic presence among us. “As He revealed Himself to the holy apostles in true flesh, so He reveals Himself to us now in sacred bread.”
The Knights strive, above all, to live out their awareness of Christ’s presence in the Holy Eucharist with great faith, to study and understand this divine mystery ever more deeply, and to communicate this truth to others. Since St. Francis wrote of the necessity of cleanliness for the things of the altar, the Knights place special value on their service as sacristans and servers for Masses and other liturgies. Even beyond the confines of the sanctuary and of the church building, they work so that all things will reveal the beauty and holiness of God.
St. Francis, who had a great love and respect for the priesthood, was ordained a deacon. In imitation of their holy model, the Knights are open to the call of their members being ordained as deacons in accordance with the desires and needs of the local Ordinary.
St. Francis says in the Admonitions that the brothers are not to look down on priests, “even though they be sinners”, since “their ministry is greater in that it concerns the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ”; rather, the Knights are to help priests through good example and charity. The Knights strengthen and support priests in their vocations through their continued prayer and offering of assistance.
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.
“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
On the subject of peace, St. Francis de Sales also says:
“Strive to remain in that peace and tranquillity that our Lord has given you. ‘The peace of God,’ says St. Paul, ‘which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).
“Do you not see that he says the peace of God ‘passes all understanding’? That is to teach you that you should never trouble yourself to have any sentiment other than that of the peace of God. Now, the peace of God is the peace that proves the resolutions we have taken for God and the path that God has ordained for us.
“Walk firmly in the way in which the providence of God has placed you, without looking either to the right or to the left. That is the way of perfection for you.
“This satisfaction of spirit — even if it be without savor — is worth more than a thousand delightful consolations. If God intends you to face some difficulties, you must receive them from his hand — the hand you have taken hold of — and you must not let go of him until he has brought you to the point of your perfection.
“You will see that God’s providence will accomplish all things according to your intentions, provided they be entirely in conformity with His. What is needed of you is a courage that is a little more vigorous and resolute.”
“Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?” (St. Gerard Majella).
t is good to mistrust ourselves, but how would that advantage us were we not to throw all our confidence on God and to wait on His mercy?
If you feel no such confidence, cease not on that account from making these acts and from saying to Our Lord: “Yet, O Lord, though I have no feeling of confidence in You, nevertheless, I know that You are my God, that I am all Yours, and that I have no hope but in Your goodness, so I abandon myself entirely into Your Hands.”
It is always in our power to make these acts; although we have difficulty in performing them, still there is no impossibility. Thus we testify faithfulness to Our Lord.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them” (Saint Francis de Sales).
“Consider all the past as nothing, and say, like David: Now I begin to love my God” (Saint Francis de Sales).
“We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear” (Saint Francis de Sales).
