Memorial of Saint
Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
(II Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20)
As the Week of Christian Unity draws to a close, it might
be asked how one of the great Catholics of Reformation times treated
Protestants. St. Francis de Sales was a
priest and bishop in Switzerland, a country that largely converted to
Calvinism. Influenced by religious
rivalry, Francis broadly backed social and political pressures to bring
Calvinists back to the Church. But when
he faced Protestants directly, he spoke to their hearts.
Francis believed that intellectual arguments do not
change people’s ways as much as calling forth the good in everyone. He would say that it is not necessary for a
farmer to pray like a monk but could offer a simple prayer to place himself on
the path of holiness. Francis was able to
attract a number of Calvinists to Catholicism.
Perhaps more important than conversions, his preaching the possibility
of universal holiness allows for common ground among Catholics and Protestants today.
Calvinism emphasizes especially personal righteousness.
It sees human nature as seriously defected by original sin. Nevertheless, Calvinism finds some human
beings redeemed by Christ. These fortunate
few, it teaches, will lead holy lives with Christ’s grace. Whether they are
bankers or farmhands, Calvinism insists that their lives exemplify prayer and
decency. A convergence may be noted here
with Francis’ sense of universal holiness.
Both Calvin and De Sales offer the possibility of every baptized person
leading holy life. Calvin may be stricter
in his sense of what holiness consists and Francis more flexible. But both find the need of seriousness in pursuing
sanctity.
