St Francis de Sales, A Missionary of Zeal

The Conversion of Geneva: 

Saint Francis de Sales, a Missionary of Zeal

During the Reformation in Europe, Catholicism was faced with a fierce threat through increasing division and heresy within the Church. In the mid-1500’s, John Calvin began to spread his heretical teachings throughout Switzerland. Specifically, Calvin began his Reformation efforts in Geneva, which was experiencing significant religious turmoil; as a result, the teachings of Calvin were readily accepted by the people since he brought order and clarity to the faith. [1] Calvin taught of the doctrine of double-predestination, believing that God predestined many individuals for damnation, as well as a select few for redemption. Calvin also held a strict observance of morality and viewed God in a harsh, dictatorial way, considering the Lord eager to bring about punishment for our evil. [2] As Calvinism spread throughout Europe, the Church was in dire need of reform and evangelization. The call for evangelization was answered with vigor by Saint Francis de Sales. 

Born in 1567, Francis de Sales was the oldest son of an aristocratic family. Early on, Francis was pressured to pursue a worldly career of prestige and wealth by his family; however, he felt the call to serve the Lord through a religious vocation and chose to follow this path instead. [3] Surprisingly, Francis himself went through a time of interior struggle with Calvinism. He experienced serious despair and depression as he wrestled with the doctrine of predestination, causing him to doubt in the mercy of God. This trial came to an end through a time of prayer before the Blessed Virgin Mary at St Etienne des Gres parish in Paris. [4] After Francis received his doctorate from the University of Padua in 1591, he renounced his rights as a nobleman and became a priest in 1593. In 1602, Francis was ordained the Bishop of Geneva. [5] While Calvin began his Protestant Reformation efforts in Geneva, Francis would begin his mission of re-evangelizing Catholics in that same city.

As bishop of Geneva, Francis immediately sought to bring about a revival of Catholicism through evangelization and catechesis. However, the city was utterly opposed to Catholicism. Due to Calvinist control, Catholic preaching and the Holy Mass had been banned, while churches were whitewashed and altars destroyed. [6] As Francis preached, it seemed his efforts were in vain, attracting very few Catholics. Yet, he persevered, trudging through the countryside preaching and evangelizing, often jeopardizing his own life through the frigid conditions. It is said that his feet bled due to the coldness he experienced as he trampled through the snow. [7] Further, since the people of Geneva refused to offer him housing or care, he was once forced to sleep in the village bakehouse. One December, he was chased by a pack of wolves while preaching in the country; consequently, he tied himself to the tall branches of a tree to ensure his safety as he slept during the night. [8] Through it all, Francis continued because he saw a need for evangelization within his city and he was determined to meet it. 

After two years of seemingly ineffective ministry, Francis began to see the fruits of his labor. Since the people would not listen to his preaching or let him into their homes, Francis wrote pamphlets explaining Catholicism and placed them under the doors of homes. [9] With time, these writings impacted the people and opened their hearts to Catholicism again as they learned the truth of the Faith. As the people spoke with Francis, it was evident that he was established in orthodox doctrine and unwavering in his faith, yet he was also pastorally gifted. He was willing to do anything for the people and valued the relational ministry, intentionally making time to connect with children and families. [10] His motto of ministry was, “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar.” [11] When all doors seemed shut, Francis found ways to reach the people’s hearts with the life-giving message of the Gospel. Francis once even created a form of sign language in order to communicate with a deaf man. [12]

In his ministry, Francis greatly valued personal prayer. Of his many trials, his one complaint was that he did not have more time to pray. [13] Francis encouraged others to seek holiness and sainthood, in their prayer and daily life, explaining that all people are called to sanctity -- not just those within religious orders. [14] Thus, he preached the importance of seeking sanctity within one’s home, one’s worldly work, and one’s daily life. Francis saw two guiding principles to be key to the spiritual life: divine love and humility. Francis realized that divine love yields in dependence and transformation by God, thus eliminating the deadly sin of pride. [15] Francis’ spirituality was directly opposed to that of Calvin. While Calvin saw God as harsh and ready to punish sinfulness, Francis viewed God as a Father of mercy who yearns for our love and our “yes” to His will. [16] Although Calvin considered eternal life to be a call for a chosen few, Francis preached the Gospel of salvation to all people and fought tirelessly for the salvation of everyone. 

After only four years of Francis’ extraordinary missionary efforts, nearly all of Geneva was converted to Catholicism. Parishes became organized and renewed, with many churches restoring themselves from Calvinist back to Catholic. Scarcely 100 Calvinist parishes remained. [17] It is said that Francis de Sales brought back more than 7,000 Protestants to the Catholic Faith. [18] The legacy of St. Francis de Sales provides a model for ministry. Francis valued personal prayer, sought to love the people wholly, and was tireless in his pursuit of the Gospel message. Francis challenged both the people and himself to daily holiness through living in the Presence of God. [19] Like Francis, may we never tire of sharing the faith, recognizing that the Gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” [20]

Endnotes

[1] John Vidmar, The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History, (New York: Paulist Press, 2005), 199-200. 

[2] Vidmar, The Catholic Church, 199-200. 

[3] Rev. George Johnson, Rev. Jerome D. Hannan, and Sr. M. Dominica, The Story of the Church: Her Founding,
Mission and Progress, A Textbook in Church History, (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, 1980), 354-355. 

[4] Patrick Madrid, On A Mission: Lessons From Saint Francis de Sales, (Cincinnati: Franciscan Media, (2013)
10-12. 

[5] Susan Muto. 2019. “Befriending the Church Fathers: Three Saints -- One Ancient, One Medieval and One

Modern -- Explore the Importance of Conversion.” Priest 75 (9): 63–69.

[6] Joe Heschmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart of St. Francis de Sales.” at The Word on Fire (24
January, 2018). https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/the-evangelical-and-pastoral-heart-of-st-francis-de-sales
/21622/.

[7] “St. Francis de Sales,” at Catholic Online, (2020), https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=51.

[8] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[9] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[10] “St. Francis de Sales,” at Catholic Online.

[11] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[12] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[13] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[14] Johnson, Hannan, and Dominica, The Story of the Church, 354-355.

[15] Muto, “Befriending the Church Fathers,” 1-2. 

[16] Vidmar, The Catholic Church, 201-202; Johnson, Hannan, and Dominica, 354-355.

[17] Heshmeyer, “The Evangelical and Pastoral Heart.” 

[18] Johnson, Hannan, and Dominica, 354-355. 

[19] Muto, “Befriending the Church Fathers,” 1-2.

[20] Romans 1:16, NIV.