24 January 2022
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
On this day, the Church celebrates St. Francis de Sales, 16th century saint and friend of the Jesuits known for his intelligence, his outstanding preaching, and his humility and gentleness. It was these attributes that helped him work for Christian unity during the time of the Protestant Reformation.
Unity is only possible through the Holy Spirit, which Jesus evokes and which the scribes malign in today’s gospel. It’s no coincidence that the words “holy”, “healthy”, and “whole” all have the same etymological root, and that the Holy Spirit is associated with all three. The Holy Spirit sanctifies (makes holy), heals (makes healthy), unites and reconciles (makes whole). Love, which comes from the Spirit, accomplishes all these functions.
St. Francis de Sales knew this very well. His motto was, “He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.” It was in this way that he moved so many souls to conversion. Through his intercession, let us ask for the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts, our families, our communities to make us one in the Lord.