It’s the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, 3rd Class, with the color of White. In this episode: the meditation: “The Purifying Blood”, today’s news from the Church: “Transmitting the Faith: A Challenge for 2026”, a preview of the Sermon: “Dealing with Discouragement”, and today’s thought from the Archbishop.
Saint Francis de Sales was a bishop whose gentleness changed the tone of Catholic spirituality at a time when faith was often presented with severity. Born in 1567 into a noble family in Savoy, Francis was brilliant, sensitive, and deeply anxious by temperament. As a young man studying in Paris, he endured a crushing spiritual trial, becoming convinced for a time that he was predestined to damnation. The experience nearly broke him, but it also purified his faith. When peace finally returned, it did so through a simple act of trust. Francis abandoned speculation and placed himself entirely in God’s mercy. That surrender became the foundation of his holiness.
Ordained a priest against his family’s hopes for a legal career, Francis was sent on a dangerous mission to the Chablais region, which had largely fallen under Calvinist influence. Preaching openly was forbidden, so Francis walked village to village, writing short explanations of the faith by hand and slipping them under doors. These quiet leaflets, patient conversations, and consistent charity eventually led thousands back to the Church. What distinguished Francis was not argument, but kindness. He believed that truth must be proposed, never imposed, and that love opens doors fear keeps closed.
In 1602, Francis became Bishop of Geneva, though he was forced to reside in Annecy due to political realities. As bishop, he combined tireless pastoral work with an interior life of deep prayer. He visited parishes, reformed clergy,...
