Francis de Sales was born in Thorens Savoy France in 1567. He was trained as a lawyer before being ordained. He became Bishop of Geneva in 1602 and did much to combat Calvinism. He founded the Order of the Visitation with St Jane Frances de Chantal, and produced popular spiritual works such as Introduction to Devout Life. His flock called him “the Gentle Christ of Geneva.” He died at Lyons on 28 Dec 1622, and was buried at Annecy. Pius XI declared Francis patron of journalists and writers in 1923.
