Saint-François-de-Sales church

You’re now in Saint-François-de-Sales square, in front of the church of the same name. It’s also known as the Italians’ church, for the simple reason that it’s mainly attended by Annecy’s Italian community. For a complete change of scenery, you can attend mass in Italian! The church was built in 1614 on the banks of the Thiou river in a baroque style inspired by the Lombards. It is best known today as the burial place of Saint Jeanne de Chantal and Saint François de Sales. The church has an exquisitely decorated interior and 7 beautiful Baroque altarpieces, a tribute to the princes of the time who came here on pilgrimage. Today, the relics of the two saints have been transferred to the Basilica of the Visitation, which you can also visit. It is just 1 km away outside the town center. It’s important to understand that the relics of Saint Francis de Sales are no small thing in the area. Let me tell you a few words about this eminent churchman who had a profound influence on Christian spirituality. He was born in 1567 at the Sales castle, about twenty kilometres north of Annecy. Born into a noble Savoyard family, he was educated and received his first communion in Annecy. At 11, he already wished to become a priest. However, his father, wanted him to pursue law studies to become a magistrate and sent him to study in Paris. At that time this move was akin to going abroad. François growing passion for theology took him to continue his studies in Italy. As he returned to Savoy, his father offered him a wife and land. But he renounced his material possessions and became a canon, before becoming priest and provost of Geneva the following year. Geneva was in the midst of the Protestant Reformation and the bishop’s see was moved to Annecy. François de Sales worked with respect, tact and gentleness to bring Catholicism back to the region. His extreme kindness left its mark on the Church and the bishop gained a great reputation as a writer, preacher and fervent defender of the Catholic faith. In 1604 he met Jeanne de Chantal, with whom he formed one of the greatest spiritual friendships in Christian history. In 1610 he founded a community of sisters with Jeanne as Mother Superior. This was the Order of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, approved by the Pope in 1618. François de Sales then became a prolific writer, publishing 26 volumes in the Editions d’Annecy and using literature to spread the Christian faith. Two of these works have become great spiritual classics: “Introduction to Devout life” and “Treatise on the Love of God”. He is the patron saint of writers and journalists, and of the hearing impaired, for he successfully taught catechism to a young deaf man. His life became a model of selfless love and service to God and therefore to all. He died in 1622, was beatified in 1665 and made a Doctor of the Church in 1877 for his contribution to Christian doctrine. His feast day is on the 24th of January. There, that’s all for Saint François de Sales, now you know more about him and his homeland.