Novena to St. Francis de Sales

Berkeley, Wednesday, January 21, 2026 0:53 am

Compacted novena for the memorial feast of Saint Francis of Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

Memorial day: January 24.

Day 1: January 21, 2026. “Saint Francis de Sales was born at Savoy in 1567.” As a priest he diligently labored to restore Catholicism in his country. (Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of The Hours, 1976, pp. 1068-1069) Where was St Francis of Sales country? I believe he was French. Because Savoie is a department in France. Thus, Saint Francis of Sales was born in the mountains. Easy questions to answer later on, what or where is Sales. Also, where he was born, and where he lived. I am not sure I will read a bio of him one day, but I will need to read the book he wrote, one day, which is “Introduction to the devote life.

Day 2: January, 22, 2026: Oh. So, Saint Francis of Sales was a Bishop of Geneva. Geneva is in Switzerland. According to the book the Liturgy of the Hours, Christian Prayer, Saint Francis of Sales was a “true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful, strengthening their faith by his writing, works, and example”! Those are quite important means to be a good teacher or professor.

Day 3: January 22, 2026: Saint Francis de Sales died in Lyon on December 28, 1622. He was buried, I assume, on January 24, 1623 in Annecy (Liturgy of the Hours, Christian Prayer, 1976, pp. 1069). Saint Francis of Sales was alive about 400 years ago. It is interesting how a seed can produce so much fruit, and many more seeds. Where is Annecy?

Day 4: January 22, 2026: I do not known much about this story yet, other a quick skim, and the picture at the bottom of the page. The story is about Saint Francis de Sales near my current location. Well, around January 24, 1886, [sorry I am omitting by now the main actors, or priest or bishops names, in this version, because I do not well yet], a new parish was decided in Oakland, the Parish of Saint Francis de Sales. Its church was erected by soon after that time. It was a Gothic Revival style church, built on San Pablo Avenue, between 21st and 22nd street. It seems that around 1962, Oakland was designed as a new Diocese. Thus, it needed a cathedral. The decision was to made St. Francis de Sales church into the Cathedral of the Diocese of Oakland. It was this way 1989. The structure suffered several damage during the Loma Prieta earthquake, on October 17, 1989. (Wikipedia, for now. Thank you wikipedia). Thus, that church, as well as, other church as well as other churches in Oakland, such as Sacred Heart, had to be demolished. What has happened with the St. Francis de Sales parish in Oakland?

[Well, I honor the commitment to learn a bit more about the Saints’ lives, their legacy. But at times it can be a digression of oneself digging deeper on daily tasks. On the other hand, it provides some deeper knowledge or even connection to names and habits. i.e. I was able to catch today in a discussion a reference to a former mission in Texas, called Mission San Saba, or Saint Sabbas Mission. I assume the current name of the city and river in Texas was after that mission. Well, I learned a bit about Saint Sabbas more than a month ago for his feast on December 5]

Day 5: January 23, 2026: Saint Francis of Sales wrote, and by many it, of course, seems that practiced, the following axiom: “A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar” (Franciscan Media.org) Merry is in the heart.

Day 6: January 23, 2026. See pilgrimage short video in the references. In the Footsteps of St. Francis de Sales. fr. Gregory Pine was a on a pilgrimage following Saint Francis de Sales, at the Swiss Alps. Their group was meditating on the Saint Francis de Sales book Introduction to the Devout Life. In the video fr. Pine was reflecting about two virtues: curiosity and honesty. By curiosity, he refers to the desire of inquire of one’s life, to see what’s going on. Grace can get through the truth. Thus, honesty, to accept with grace what we have found, and have to work with. At the end one needs to build on rock or a foundation. If truth does not find that rock. Grace cannot be built on that. Good to keep finding that rock source to build on.

Day 7: January 23, 2026. The saints find their home in the kingdom of heaven; their faith in eternal peace (alleluia). (Liturgy of the Hours, Christian Prayer, 1976, pp. 1420)

Day 8: January 23, 2026. A prayer written by St. Francis of Sales: “Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it God will carry you in your arms…” To be continued on day 9

Day 9: January 24, 2026. Continuation of prayer written by St. Francis of Sales: …”Do not fear what may happen tomorrow, the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Prayer:

“Father,

you gave Francis of Sales the spirit of compassion to befriend all men on the way to salvation.

By his example, lead us to show your gentle love in the service of our fellow men.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”

Saint Francis de Sales Church, which was the Cathedral of Oakland from 1962 until 1989. (Source: Library of Congress).

References and notes:

First I will be transcribing the text and prayer for the feast of Saint Francis of Sales from the Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of The Hours, 1976 [Add full reference below later].

Once that it is completed. I might look into the common sources, I have been using. It will be a three to five days “novena”.

Ok. Additional reference and story:

https://www.catholickingdom.com/People/Lady_Gwen/s_scrapbook/tales/sos_T_038/sos-T-038.html

https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.ca1797.photos?st=gallery

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_Saint_Francis_de_Sales_(Oakland,_California)

https://csdo.org/history

https://www.oakdiocese.org/spm/