St Francis de Sales - Sidney Lear H.L.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, famous for his works Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on the Love of God, lived a remarkable life in a remarkable period of history. He mixed as easily with kings as with the poor, with the sole aim of bringing them closer to God, indeed to bring them to love God more. Such was his sanctity and life that St Vincent de Paul could say "Oh! how good must God be, since the Bishop of Geneva is so good!"

This biography of St Francis de Sales captures the dynamism of the inner spirit of the great saint, his gentleness, his humility, his complete abandonment to the workings of God's Holy Will in his life. His complete confidence in God left him free from all the vanities of the world and allowed him to find peace in all things, most especially in the dryness and difficulties of life.

In reading his life we are shown how easily we can apply and live his spirit in our own lives, laying down our self-love and using all occasions, whether bitter or sweet, to grow in the love of God.