The Sermons of St. Francis de Sales: On Prayer

by Francis de Sales

The saintly bishop, Founder, and Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales, is known throughout the Catholic world for his great gentleness and understanding of the human soul. During his lifetime, he converted and guided innumerable souls and reconverted thousands from Calvinism back to the Catholic Faith. Here St. Francis de Sales shows how prayer is the key to all holiness. In simple words and colorful imagery he explains the profoundest secrets of sanctity. He often quotes the words of Sacred Scripture, pointing out their hidden meaning as applied to the value and practice of prayer.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Spirituality

58 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Francis de Sales, C.O., T.O.M., A.O.F.M. Cap. (French: François de Sales; Italian: Francesco di Sales) was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His father sent him to a good school when he was young, and he received spiritual formation from the Jesuits. After a disturbing spiritual fear of being condemned, he eventually resolved his problem and decided to dedicate his life to God in 1587. He became a doctor of law at the age of 24 at the Jesuit College of Clermont, Paris, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Claude de Granier and stationed in Geneva in 1593. He became bishop of Geneva in 1602.

Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, yet profound advice on what prayer is, what it isn’t, who should prayer, and how to pray. Never disappointed by St. Francis de Sales.

This copy only had 4 sermons. I believe the newer one from TAN has a few more so I’ll have to check that out.

[Catherine]

Read on to find out why St Francis de Sales calls St John the Baptist a “mystical grasshopper.”

[Aman Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thin volume of four sermons holds wonderful wisdom regarding prayer. While I would have liked additional content from Saint Francis de Sales (or, at least, more robust notes and commentary on his writing), this collection bestows good lessons for any Catholic seeking to understand and improve their prayer life.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!

[Peter]

"I would prefer that you never ask the name or the kind of prayer you are experiencing because, as St. Antony says, that prayer is imperfect in which one is aware that one is praying."