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Double Jubilee
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Three pillars of the Double Salesian Jubilee1. Increase knowledge and love of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal2. Encourage imploring their intercession3. Imitate their virtues and devotion -
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1. Increase knowledge and love of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal
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St. Francis de Sales
Bishop and doctor (1567-1622)
Born in Switzerland on August 21, 1567 to a noble family, Francis was devoted to serving God even at a young age. He had a gentle disposition and an intelligent mind that was put to work attending the best schools of his day. In 1580 he studied theology at the University of Paris and then received his doctorate in law at the University of Padua at the age of 24. Despite his father's wishes, Francis became a priest and was ordained in 1593 by the Bishop of Geneva.
Feast day: January 24th
While the faith of many were tested by the Protestant Reformation, Francis worked to restore the Catholic faith. Through his preaching and writings that clearly explained Catholic beliefs, he revived the faith in the region around Lake Geneva and was appointed Bishop of Geneva in 1602. As bishop he ministered to the people with wisdom and encouragement. In 1608, his most famous book, 'An Introduction to the Devout Life,' was published. In 1610, Francis and St. Jane de Chantal founded the Order of Visitation. St. Francis de Sales guided people gently toward their calling on their journey to God. He died on December 28, 1622 in Lyon, France.
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St. Jane de Chantal
Daughter, wife, mother, widow, founder, religious (1572-1641)
Born in Dijon, France on January 28, 1572, Jane de Chantal was a child of the president of the local parliament. Her mother died when she was only 18 months, so her father educated her. In 1592 Jane had an arranged marriage with Christopher de Rabutin-Chantal. Christopher was frequently absent serving in the King's court, so Jane managed the estate and raised their four children. Tragically, Christopher was killed in a hunting accident. After her husband's passing, Jane and her children moved in with her father-in-law and his mistress at Monthelon. While Jane disapproved of the immorality of the situation, she was kind to the mistress. As both a mother and estate holder, Jane worked tirelessly to take care of those around her, caring for the sick and feeding the hungry, sacrificing her needs for the sake of others.
Feast day: August 12th
In 1604 Jane heard a sermon of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva. She recognized that Francis was the director God had promised to her in a dream. In spiritual direction, Francis told her to, "Do everything through love and nothing through constraint." With this encouragement Jane found God in the loving fulfillment of her duties. By 1610, Jane had helped her children in their careers and in marriage. Jane and Francis then founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Annecy. With the permission of the family counsel, and despite the protest of her only son, Jane entered religious life.
Jane ran the order and continued founding monasteries throughout France, even after Francis' death in 1622. Despite working arduously for the order, Jane still found the time to care for her children's needs. Sadly, she outlived all of her children except one. Though she longed for a contemplative life, she was elected to be the order's superior repeatedly. Jane revisited old monasteries to ensure that the spirit of the Visitation remained and continued establishing new monasteries. Jane de Chantal died in 1641 in Moulins, France.
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2. Encourage imploring their intercession
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3. Imitate their virtues and devotion
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Embraced by God
A ministry that provides books and recordings, Embraced by God offers direction to those interested in the everyday spirituality called Salesian. Reading their writings allows us to better imitate their devotions and virtues. Visit embracedbygod.org for more.
Click the medals below for novenas to these holy saints.
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