RANCIS DE SALES, SAINT, a French theologian; born at Sales, near Annecy, August 27, 1567; died at Lyons, November 22, 1622. He at first studied law in Paris under Guy Pancirola, but in 1593 he exercised his office as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, when he tried to convert the patriarch of Protestantism, Theodore Beza, but without success. In 1602, Francis was appointed Bishop of Geneva, an office, however, without practical control over the immediate Genevese district. The same year, he went to Paris and preached acceptably at the court of Henry IV. At Dijon, two years later, he met Madame de Chantal, with whom he subsequently founded the Order of Visitation. Henri IV. offered Francis the highest dignities to remain in France, but he refused, although his visits to Paris were renewed. In 1608, his Introduction to a Holy Life appeared. This book, which is still a Roman Catholic manual of devotion, saw several editions. His Treatise on the Love of God (1614) was still more popular. "The contemporary of Montaigne, Saint Francis has been compared to that great writer for originality of style and charm of diction, although from his mystical tendencies and evangelical fervor and simplicity, it would be more correct to compare him to Fénelon. Selections from his works are common, and no doubt, from the beauty of his character, the opulence of his genius, his insinuating and invincible unction, he is one of the men of whom the Roman Catholic Church has most reason to be proud." Even in childhood, he would save portions of his food for the poor, and enjoyed visits of charity which he made with his mother. At

the age of eleven, after having finished his studies at Rocheville and Annecy, he was priested. He traveled later in Paris with his tutor and studied in the Jesuit schools. His teachers in divinity were Genebrard and Maldonatus. About eighteen, he became very ill, and on his recovery visited the shrines and antiquities of Italy, Rome, Ferrara, Loretto, and Venice. In 1591, he established at Annecy, a confraternity of the Holy Cross, whose object was the aid of the sick, ignorant, and prisoners. Lawsuits were forbidden. From his pen we have The Invention of the Cross; Preparation for Mass; Instructions for Confessors; Entertainments to Nuns of the Visitation. His corpse was embalmed and buried with great pomp at Annecy. It was laid in a magnificent tomb near the high altar in the church. of the first monastery of the Visitation. After his beatification by Alexander VII. in 1661, it was placed upon the altar in a rich silver shrine. He was canonized in 1665 by the same Pope, and his feast set for January 29th, on which day he was conveyed to Annecy. His heart was kept in a leaden case in the Church of the Visitation at Lyons; it was afterward exposed in a silver one, and lastly in one of gold, the gift of Louis XIII.

MEEKNESS.

Truth must be always charitable, for bitter zeal does harm instead of good. Reprehensions are a food of hard digestion, and ought to be dressed on a fire of burning charity so well, that all harshness be taken off; otherwise, like unripe fruit, they will only produce gripings. Charity seeks not itself nor its own interests, but purely the honor and interest of God: pride, vanity, and passion cause bitterness and harshness. A remedy inju

diciously applied may be a poison. A judicious silence is always better than a truth spoken without charity.

The most powerful remedy against sudden starts of impatience is a sweet and amiable silence; however little one speaks, self-love will have a share in it, and some word will escape that may sour the heart, and disturb its peace for a considerable time. When nothing is said, and cheerfulness preserved, the storm subsides, anger and indiscretion are put to flight, and nothing remains but a joy, pure and lasting. The person who possesses Christian meekness, is affectionate and tender toward everyone; he is disposed to forgive and excuse the frailties of others; the goodness of his heart appears in a sweet affability that influences his words and actions, and presents every object to his view in the most charitable and pleasing light; he never admits in his discourse any harsh expression, much less any term that is haughty or rude. An amiable serenity is always painted on his countenance, which remarkably distinguishes him from those violent characters who, with looks full of fury, know only how to refuse; or who, when they grant, do it with so bad a grace, that they lose all the merit of the favor they bestow. If there was anything more excellent than meekness, God would have certainly taught it us; and yet there is nothing to which he so earnestly exhorts us as to be "meek and humble of heart." If Saul had been cast off, we would never have had a St. Paul.

RANCIS OF ASSISI, SAINT (GIOVANNI FRANCESCO BERNARDONE), a celebrated Italian monk and ecclesiastic; born at Assisi in 1182; died there, October 4, 1226. He was the founder of the Order of Franciscans or mendicant friars. His father was a merchant, who bought goods in the south

of France and sold them in Italy. It was while on one of his journeys that the son was born, and called by his father Francesco and by his mother Giovanni. In boyhood he was merry, light-hearted, and careless, with a decided fondness for amusements and fine clothes, and little given to study. When about twenty years old he was taken with a severe illness, and on his sickbed indulged in deep reflection. When he recovered he was a changed man. "Thenceforward," says one of his biographers, "he held that in contempt which he had hitherto held in admiration and love." He began to speak of poverty as his bride, and the poor, the sick, and the leprous became objects of his especial attention. He made a pilgrimage to Rome and in his zeal for the Church threw all his worldly goods upon the altar of St. Peter's, joined a troop of beggars, and gave himself up to a life of charity and alms-giving.

Such conduct could not fail to meet with severe reproof at the hands of his industrious father. The rupture between them is usually said to have taken. place as follows: The young visionary was wont to resort to the ruined church of St. Damian, near Assisi, for the purpose of meditation and prayer. One day the mysterious voice that has cried out to so many enthusiasts, and inflamed the zeal of so many devoted reformers, spoke from the crumbling walls, saying "Francis, seest thou not that my house is in ruins; go and restore it for me." To hear was to obey. The young man went home, saddled his horse, took a bale of his father's goods and rode to Foligno, sold both horse and goods, and hastened with the money thus obtained to the priest of St. Damian, and offered to repair the church. For this conduct the indignant father inflicted blows and curses and the young man

was imprisoned. On his release he renounced all dependence on his father, and gave himself up to poverty and a life of devotion to his Father in Heaven. He organized a small band of fanatics, who took for their incentive to wandering about living on charity the literal interpretation of the words of Jesus: "Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes nor yet staves, for the workman is worthy of his meat." The band grew in numbers and influence, and received the sanction of Pope Innocent III. about 1210. They were forbidden to own property, and were bound to preach and labor without fixed salaries, living only on charity. In 1223 Pope Honorius III. published a bull confirming the verbal sanction of Pope Innocent. Francis also founded an order of poor sisters, known by the name of Poor Claras or Clarisses. Francis was unceasing in his labors. He made long journeys to Spain, Illyria, and even to the East to preach to the Mahometans. He is said to have gained access to the Sultan and endeavored to convert him to the doctrine of poverty. It is impossible at this late day to separate the real events of Francis's life from the legends and stories of miracles that have been related by his followers. He was a troubadour as well as preacher - a sort of spiritual minstrel. Much of his preaching was chanted in a sort of rugged rhyme, which could scarcely be called poetry from a technical point of view, but which was full of that intense fervor of the devotee, and the tenderness of feeling born of a true love for every living thing. The birds, the beasts, the flowers and trees, were alike objects of his gentle compassion. His most characteristic song has been translated by Mrs. Olyphant under the title of Song of the