Salesian Literature

Francis de Sales was born on 21st August 1567 at Thorens, not far from Geneva in Switzerland and Annecy in the France.  Thorens then belonged to Duke of Savoy.  Later Savoy became a part of France through a referendum.

 

The parents of Francis were Francis de Sales, generally known as M. de Boisy and Francoise de Sionnaz commonly known as Madame de Boisy.  M. de. Boisy, by his life, example and firm guidance taught Francis to be an honest, sincere, frank, straightforward and courageous boy with a great sense of justice, kindness, generosity and integrity.  From his Father, he learned a manly devotion while from his mother, he inherited a kind, compassionate and affectionate heart and tender devotion.

 

In 1573, Francis was sent to a school at La Roche not far from Thorens.  From 1575, he continued his studies in the school of Chappuis at Annecy.  On 17th December 1575, he made his First Communion and received Confirmation.

 

At the age of fifteen, his father, desirous of a thorough gentleman’s education for his son, enrolled Francis in the College of Clermont in Paris to pursue studies of Arts and Humanities under the guidance of the Jesuits.  To prepare him for the career of Senator, his father obliged his on to become proficient, among others, in the traditional skills of fencing, horse riding, music and dancing.  During his stay in Paris, Francis had the opportunity of attending lectures [of Philosophy and Theology] at the renowned University of Sorbonne; he was occasionally received at the court of Henry III, king of France.

 

However, to satisfy his personal interest and to grow in the vocation he felt that he was being called to, Francis benefited from the guidance of the Jesuits to receive a sound and personal human and spiritual formation.  According to his contemporaries, Francis undertook the study of philosophy in order to please his father, but also devoted time to the study of theology “in order to please himself.”

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