Fr. Neil Kilty, OSFS, on a Christmas Message from St. Francis De Sales

"The Christmas season of 1622 was a busy time for St. Francis de Sales. He had just finished participating in a series of official meetings between the governments of France and Savoy. Since these meetings had been held at Lyons, he decided to stay there for Christmas and with the Visitation nuns.

"The last letter he penned was dated December 24, 1622. It was written to Roger de Saint Lary, the Duke of Bellegarde. He, too, had been a participant at the meetings and was still in Lyons at the time.

". . . This is a simple letter with a simple request asking a kindness for a poor man, which is part of the heart of the Christmas message."

In a recent commentary, Father Neil F. Kilty, OSFS, refected on this letter from St. Francis de Sales, a letter which included the message "[w]orks of mercy are in season at this time which is dedicated to the great mercy shown to us by the Son of God when He was born on earth for our salvation."

To access Fr. Kilty's complete post, please visit:

Oblates Weekly: Salesian Christmas: A Time of Mercy (26 DEC 19)